Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 1, 2007

Registration No. 333-145880

 


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Amendment No. 2

to

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Rubicon Technology, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware   3674   36-4419301

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

9931 Franklin Avenue

Franklin Park, Illinois 60131

(847) 295-7000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Raja M. Parvez

President and Chief Executive Officer

9931 Franklin Avenue

Franklin Park, Illinois 60131

(847) 295-7000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 


Copy to:

 

Scott L. Glickson, Esq.

David N. Oakey, Esq.

McGuireWoods LLP

77 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60601

Telephone: (312) 321-7652

Facsimile: (312) 698-4585

 

Robert P. Latta, Esq.

J. Robert Suffoletta, Esq.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati,

Professional Corporation

650 Page Mill Road

Palo Alto, California 94304

Telephone: (650) 493-9300

Facsimile: (650) 493-6811

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.   ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨                       

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨                     

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨                     

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 


 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

   Amount to be
Registered(1)
   Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
per Share(2)
  

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price(1)(2)

  

Amount of

Registration Fee(3)

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share    7,705,000    $14.00    $107,870,000    $3,312.00

(1) Includes shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase to cover overallotments, if any.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
(3) A registration fee of $3,070.00 was previously paid in connection with the initial filing of this registration statement on September 5, 2007. The aggregate registration fee of $3,312.00 is being offset by the $3,070.00 payment previously made.

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 



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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS   Subject To Completion   November 1, 2007

6,700,000 Shares

LOGO

Common Stock

 


This is the initial public offering of our common stock. No public market currently exists for our common stock. We are selling 5,500,000 shares of our common stock and the selling stockholders are selling 1,200,000 shares of our common stock. We will not receive any proceeds from the shares sold by the selling stockholders. We expect the public offering price to be between $12.00 and $14.00 per share.

Our common stock has been approved for listing on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “RBCN.”

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any shares, you should carefully read the discussion of material risks of investing in our common stock in “ Risk factors ” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

       Per share    Total
Public offering price    $                        $                    
Underwriting discount and commissions    $                        $                    
Proceeds, before expenses, to us    $                        $                    
Proceeds, before expenses, to selling stockholders    $                        $                    

The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional 1,005,000 shares of our common stock from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us, to cover overallotments, if any, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions will be $                     and our total proceeds, before expenses, will be $                    .

The underwriters are offering the common stock as set forth under “Underwriting.” Delivery of the shares will be made on or about                     , 2007.

UBS Investment Bank

 


 

Canaccord Adams

CIBC World Markets

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC


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LOGO


Table of Contents

  


 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the selling stockholders and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with additional information or information different from that contained in this prospectus. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of shares of our common stock.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


 

Prospectus summary

   1

Risk factors

   7

Special note regarding forward-looking statements

   22

Use of proceeds

   23

Dividend policy

   24

Capitalization

   25

Dilution

   27

Selected financial data

   29

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

   31

Business

   51

Management

   64

Executive compensation

   70

Certain relationships and related party transactions

   88

Principal and selling stockholders

   92

Description of capital stock

   98

Shares eligible for future sale

   105

Certain material US federal tax considerations for non-US holders

   108

Underwriting

   111

Notice to investors

   115

Legal matters

   119

Experts

   119

Where you can find additional information

   119

Index to financial statements

   F-1

 

Through and including              (the twenty-fifth day after the date of this prospectus), federal securities laws may require all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, to deliver a prospectus. This requirement is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

“ES2” is a service mark of Rubicon Technology, Inc. This prospectus also includes other registered and unregistered service marks and trademarks of Rubicon Technology, Inc. and other persons.



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Prospectus summary

This summary highlights selected information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. While this summary highlights what we consider to be important information about us, you should carefully read this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part in their entirety before investing in our common stock, especially the risks of investing in our common stock, which we discuss under “Risk factors”, and our financial statements and related notes beginning on page F-1.

Unless the context requires otherwise, all references herein to “Rubicon”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Rubicon Technology, Inc.

OUR BUSINESS

We are an advanced electronic materials provider that develops, manufactures and sells monocrystalline sapphire and other innovative crystalline products for Light-Emitting Diodes (“LEDs”), radio frequency integrated circuits (“RFICs”), blue laser diodes, optoelectronics and other optical applications. The emergence of sapphire in commercial volumes at competitive prices has enabled the development of new technologies such as high brightness (“HB”) white, blue and green LEDs and highly-integrated RFICs. We apply our proprietary crystal growth technology to produce high-quality sapphire products efficiently to supply a large and growing end-market demand, and we work closely with our customers to meet their quality and delivery needs. We believe we are the leading supplier of sapphire products to the LED industry.

Advancements in solid state lighting utilizing HB white, blue and green LEDs over the past decade represent a disruptive technology in the lighting industry, providing significant performance, environmental and economic improvements compared to traditional incandescent or fluorescent lighting. These factors, along with LEDs’ durability, small form factor, excellent color performance and decreasing costs, have led to a rapidly growing demand for LEDs in consumer electronic and general and specialty lighting applications. Applications using LEDs have unit volumes in the billions and are expected to grow significantly. For instance, in the next four years, HB LED sales are expected to double according to Strategies Unlimited, an independent market research firm, based in Mountain View, California. The production volume of HB LEDs is expected to increase from 37.1 billion units in 2007 to 87.1 billion units in 2011. Further, the percentage of gallium nitride (“GaN”)-based LEDs, which predominantly use sapphire substrates, is expected to rise from 64.0% to 66.9% of the total HB LED production volume in the same time period. Therefore, as the HB LED market grows, we believe the sapphire substrate market will grow as well.

We are a vertically-integrated manufacturer of high-quality sapphire substrates and optical windows that are used in a variety of high-growth, high-volume end-market applications. Our largest product line is two inch to four inch sapphire wafers for use in LEDs and blue laser diodes for solid state lighting and electronic applications. In addition, we have developed six inch sapphire wafers that are used for Silicon-on-Sapphire (“SOS”) RFICs, as well as products for military, aerospace, sensor and other applications. We are also extending our technology to manufacture eight inch and larger diameter products to support next-generation LED, RFIC and optical window applications.

As a leading producer of sapphire and other crystals, we believe that the following are our principal competitive advantages:

 

Ø  

Proprietary technology for crystal growth .    Due to our understanding of sapphire crystal growth seeding and crystal growth furnace operational parameters, we have developed a full in-house capability to design, build and maintain crystal growth furnaces with proprietary features. We believe that our enhanced methodology significantly outperforms other methods of sapphire production with respect to capital costs, operating costs, throughput, quality and diameter size.

 

 

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Ø  

High quality sapphire products .    Through our operational expertise in crystal growth, post-growth processing and in-process manufacturing controls of sapphire wafer production, we are able to meet or exceed our customers’ key product specifications, such as crystalline quality, dimensional tolerances and crystal orientation, while maintaining high production yields.

 

Ø  

Vertical integration .    We grow sapphire crystals and have extensive capabilities to process sapphire into products that meet our customers’ needs from cores to wafer and window blanks to large diameter epi-polished wafers. By vertically integrating, we are able to achieve significant operating efficiencies and produce high-quality, high-precision products that offer cost and quality benefits to our customers.

 

Ø  

High volume and flexible manufacturing capability .    We have developed automated manufacturing and metrology platforms at each stage of our production process that allow us to increase capacity rapidly and to switch products in manufacturing easily so that we can meet our customers’ specific product demands.

 

Ø  

Lowest total cost for customers .    We believe our high sustained yields, our dedication to consistent production and performance and our commitment to lasting customer relationships help assure our customers of a reliable source of high-quality sapphire products at stable prices. Our in-process quality control practices lead to predictable customer process yields, reduced inspection costs and overall high customer satisfaction.

OUR STRATEGY

Our goal is to be the leading global provider of advanced monocrystalline substrate and window materials to the solid state lighting, SOS RFIC, aerospace and optical markets. Our strategy includes the following key elements:

 

Ø  

Extend our technology and manufacturing leadership position .    We intend to continue to develop advanced technology platforms to further increase crystal boule size and offer market-leading product specifications, while maintaining product quality and manufacturing efficiencies.

 

Ø  

Capitalize on opportunities in high-growth markets .    We intend to continue to expand our opportunities by adding new categories and sizes of products with the goal of providing our customers in multiple high-growth end markets with a robust set of sapphire solutions.

 

Ø  

Enhance operational excellence .    We plan to further refine our proprietary ES2 crystal growth techniques, sapphire processing platforms and process controls to produce even higher throughput capabilities. Our objective is to continue to achieve operational excellence through lowering cycle times, raising yields and reducing overhead costs.

 

Ø  

Expand our sales and marketing efforts .    We intend to increase the scale and geographical coverage of our sales efforts globally. In addition, we plan to enhance our brand recognition by increasing our marketing and communications programs and resources.

 

Ø  

Penetrate new market segments .    We intend to use our proprietary manufacturing technology to produce additional single-crystal materials that can be used in optical applications as well as alternative substrates for certain electronic materials applications.

 

 

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RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS

Our business is subject to a number of risks that you should be aware of before making an investment decision. These risks are discussed more fully in the section entitled “Risk factors” immediately following this prospectus summary. These risks could prevent us from successfully implementing our strategy and growing our business. Some of these risks include:

 

Ø  

We have incurred significant losses in prior periods and may incur losses in the future.

 

Ø  

Our results of operations, financial condition and business will be harmed if we are unable to manage the expansion of our capacity effectively to meet customer demand.

 

Ø  

If LED lighting does not achieve greater market acceptance, or if alternative technologies are developed and gain market traction, prospects for our growth and profitability would be limited.

 

Ø  

If the development and acceptance of our products for the SOS RFIC market do not meet our expectations, our future operating results may be harmed.

 

Ø  

The average selling prices of sapphire products have historically decreased over their life-cycles and continuing price decreases could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Ø  

We may not be able to effectively manage our growth, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

OUR CORPORATE INFORMATION

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 2001. Our principal executive offices are located at 9931 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Park, Illinois 60131. The telephone number at our principal executive offices is (847) 295-7000. Our website address is www.rubicon-es2.com . Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our website to form any part of this prospectus.

 

 

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The offering

 

Common stock we are offering

5,500,000 shares

 

Common stock offered by the selling stockholders

1,200,000 shares

 

Total common stock offered

6,700,000 shares

 

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

19,239,637 shares

 

NASDAQ Global Market symbol

“RBCN”

 

Use of proceeds after expenses

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering, based on an assumed initial offering price of $13.00 per share, the midpoint of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, will be approximately $63.1 million, or approximately $75.2 million, if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full. We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay existing indebtedness and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 13,739,637 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2007, and excludes:

 

Ø  

910,865 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2007, with a weighted average exercise price of $4.33 per share;

 

Ø  

1,399,113 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options as of September 30, 2007, with a weighted average exercise price of $3.64 per share;

 

Ø  

21,878 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2001 Equity Plan as of September 30, 2007; and

 

Ø  

2,307,692 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, which was adopted in August 2007.

Unless otherwise noted, all information in this prospectus assumes:

 

Ø  

no exercise by the underwriters of their overallotment option;

 

Ø  

a 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock that was effected on August 30, 2007;

 

Ø  

the conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into shares of common stock immediately prior to the closing of this offering;

 

Ø  

the issuance of 3,426,641 shares of common stock to the holders of preferred stock in satisfaction of dividends that have accrued on the outstanding preferred stock through September 30, 2007;

 

Ø  

the conversion of outstanding preferred stock warrants into common stock warrants; and

 

Ø  

the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the adoption of our amended and restated bylaws immediately prior to the closing of this offering.

 

 

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Summary financial data

The following tables summarize our financial data. The summary statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 have been derived from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary financial data as of September 30, 2007 and for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2007 have been derived from our unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited financial statements as of September 30, 2007 and for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2007 have been prepared on the same basis as the annual financial statements, and include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial information set forth in those financial statements. You should read this data together with our financial statements and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under “Selected financial data” and “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations.” Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future period.

 

    Year ended December 31,    

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
Statements of operations data:   2004     2005     2006    

2006

    2007  
                      (unaudited)  
    (in thousands, other than share and per share data)  

Revenue

  $ 16,043     $ 16,315     $ 20,752     $ 14,698     $ 24,565  

Cost of goods sold

    14,815       18,508       18,885       13,910       16,236  
                                       

Gross profit (loss)

    1,228       (2,193 )     1,867       788       8,329  
                                       

Operating expenses:

         

General and administrative

    3,029       4,688       3,298       2,620       3,578  

Sales and marketing

    1,586       1,266       1,062       889       492  

Research and development

    922       861       679       519       553  

Asset impairment

                933              

Loss on disposal of assets

          383       42       35       139  
                                       

Total operating expenses

    5,537       7,198       6,014       4,063       4,762  
                                       

Profit (loss) from operations

    (4,309 )     (9,391 )     (4,147 )     (3,275 )     3,567  

Other income (expense)

    (1,052 )     (2,735 )     (3,272 )     (1,899 )     (4,380 )
                                       

Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

    (5,361 )     (12,126 )     (7,419 )     (5,174 )     (813 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

                (221 )     (221 )      
                                       

Net loss

    (5,361 )     (12,126 )     (7,640 )     (5,395 )     (813 )

Dividends on preferred stock

    (2,631 )     (3,924 )     (5,563 )     (4,133 )     (4,712 )

Accretion of redeemable preferred stock

    (2,681 )     4,404       (23,416 )     (6,127 )     (46,222 )
                                       

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

  $ (10,673 )   $ (11,646 )   $ (36,619 )   $ (15,655 )   $ (51,747 )
                                       

Net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted (1)

  $ (46.79 )   $ (47.52 )   $ (146.57 )   $ (62.71 )   $ (179.92 )

Weighted shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted (1)

    228,124       245,073       249,843       249,657       287,614  

Pro forma net loss per common share (unaudited), basic and diluted (2)

      $ (0.59 )     $ (0.06 )

Shares used in computing pro forma basic net loss per common share (unaudited) (2)

        12,846,643         13,505,437  

Shares used in computing pro forma diluted net loss per common share (unaudited)

        12,846,643         13,505,437  

(1)   Basic and diluted net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders gives effect to the 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock that was effected on August 30, 2007.

 

(2)   Unaudited pro forma basic and diluted net profit (loss) per common share gives effect to the 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock that was effected on August 30, 2007, the conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into shares of common stock and the issuance of shares of common stock to the holders of preferred stock in satisfaction of dividends that have accrued on the outstanding preferred stock through December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007.

 

 

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The summary balance sheet data as of September 30, 2007 is presented:

 

Ø  

on an actual basis;

 

Ø  

on a pro forma basis, giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into shares of common stock, the issuance of 3,426,641 shares of common stock to the holders of preferred stock in satisfaction of dividends that have accrued on the outstanding preferred stock through September 30, 2007, the conversion of outstanding preferred stock warrants into common stock warrants and the reclassification of the preferred stock warrant liability to additional paid-in capital upon the completion of this offering; and

 

Ø  

on a pro forma as adjusted basis, giving effect to our receipt of the net proceeds from the sale of 5,500,000 shares of common stock offered by us in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, the midpoint of the initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and the automatic net exercise of those warrants that expire on the closing of this offering into 38,843 shares of common stock and the assumed net exercise of warrants by two selling stockholders at the closing of this offering into 4,932 shares of common stock in the aggregate, based on an assumed fair market value of one share of our common stock at the time of exercise equal to $13.00, which is the midpoint of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus and further assuming that those warrants have not been exercised prior to the closing of this offering.

 

     As of September 30, 2007
Balance sheet data:    Actual     Pro forma
   Pro forma as
adjusted
     (unaudited)
     (in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,166     $ 1,166    $ 58,593

Working capital

     (5,634 )     2,295      59,722

Total assets

     34,843       34,843      92,270

Convertible preferred stock warrant liability

     7,929           

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current maturities

     3,914       3,914     

Redeemable convertible preferred stock

     142,284           

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     (126,537 )     23,676      86,772

 

 

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Risk factors

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, including the financial statements and the related notes appearing at the end of this prospectus, before making an investment decision. If any of the following risks or uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results could materially suffer. In that event, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS

We have incurred significant losses in prior periods and may incur losses in the future.

We have incurred significant losses in prior periods. In 2005 and 2006, we incurred net losses of $12.1 million and $7.6 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2007, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $126.5 million. In addition, we expect our operating expenses to increase as we expand our business and become a public company. There can be no assurance that we will have sufficient revenue growth to offset increased expenses or to achieve profitability in future periods.

Our results of operations, financial condition and business will be harmed if we are unable to manage the expansion of our capacity effectively to meet customer demand.

We are in the process of significantly expanding our manufacturing capacity in order to meet current and anticipated customer demand. We are expanding by adding new equipment to our facilities in Franklin Park, Illinois, and we are planning to open a new facility in Bensenville, Illinois during the first quarter of 2008. Our capacity expansion involves significant risks, including the availability of capital equipment and the timing of its installation, availability and timing of required electric power, management of expansion costs, timing of production ramp, qualification of our new equipment and demands on management’s time. If our business does not grow fast enough to utilize this new capacity effectively, our business and financial results could be adversely affected. Conversely, delays in expanding our manufacturing capacity could impact our ability to meet future demand for our products. As a result, we might not be able to fulfill customer orders in a timely manner, which could adversely affect our customer relationships and operating results. Moreover, our efforts to increase our production capacity may not succeed in enabling us to manufacture the required quantities of our products in a timely manner or at the gross margins that we achieved in the past. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully reach our production, timing and cost goals for our expansion.

If LED lighting does not achieve greater market acceptance, or if alternative technologies are developed and gain market traction, prospects for our growth and profitability would be limited.

Our future success depends on increased market acceptance of LED lighting. Approximately 81% and 74% of our revenue was from sales of our products for use in the manufacture of LED products during 2006 and the first nine months of 2007, respectively. Potential customers for LED lighting systems may be reluctant to adopt LED lighting as an alternative to traditional lighting technology because of its higher initial cost and relatively low light output per unit in comparison with the most powerful traditional lighting devices. In addition, our potential customers may have substantial investments and know-how related to their existing lighting technologies, and may perceive risks relating to the novelty, complexity, reliability, quality, usefulness and cost-effectiveness of LED products when compared to other lighting sources available in the market. If acceptance of LED lighting does not increase significantly, then opportunities to increase our revenues and operate profitably would be limited.


 

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Risk factors


 

Moreover, if effective new sources of light other than LED devices are developed, our current products and technologies could become less competitive or obsolete. Any of these factors could have a material and adverse impact on our growth and profitability.

The technology used in the LED industry continues to change rapidly and if we are unable to modify our products to adapt to future changes in the LED industry, we will be unable to attract or retain customers.

We do not design or manufacture LEDs. Our ability to expand into new applications in the LED market depends on continued advancement in the design and manufacture of LEDs by others. The LED industry has been characterized by a rapid rate of development of new technologies and manufacturing processes, rapid changes in customer requirements, frequent product introductions and ongoing demands for greater functionality. Our future success will likely depend on our ability to develop new products for use in LED applications and to adjust our product specifications, such as our previous development of larger diameter wafers, in response to these developments in a timely manner. If our development efforts are not successful or are delayed, or if our newly developed products do not achieve market acceptance, we may be unable to attract or retain customers and our operating results could be harmed. In addition, although sapphire is currently the preferred substrate material for HB white, blue and green LED applications, we cannot assure you that the LED market will continue to demand the performance attributes of sapphire. Silicon carbide is another substrate material currently used for certain LED applications, including some that also use sapphire substrates. Other substrates being investigated and used in research and development for certain LED applications are aluminum nitride, zinc oxide and bulk gallium nitride. Research is also ongoing for the use of silicon substrates in LED applications. If sapphire is displaced as the substrate of choice for certain LED applications, our financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected unless we were able to successfully offer the competing substrate material.

Our continuing efforts to enhance our current products and to develop new products involve several risks, including:

 

Ø  

our ability to anticipate and respond in a timely manner to changes in customer requirements;

 

Ø  

the possibility that sapphire may in the future be replaced as a preferred substrate in certain LED applications;

 

Ø  

the significant research and development investment that we may be required to make before market acceptance of a particular new or enhanced product;

 

Ø  

the possibility that the LED industry may not accept our new or enhanced products after we have invested a significant amount of resources in development; and

 

Ø  

competition from new technologies, processes and products introduced by our current or future competitors.

If the development and acceptance of our products for the SOS RFIC market do not meet our expectations, our future operating results may be harmed.

The level of market acceptance of our SOS RFIC products will impact our future operating results. Our success in the SOS RFIC market depends on a number of factors, including:

 

Ø  

the success of our customers’ products in current applications;

 

Ø  

the acceptance of SOS RFIC products for newly targeted applications; and

 

Ø  

our timely completion of larger diameter sapphire product development and introduction of volume production for such products.


 

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Risk factors


 

In addition, it is possible that other solutions, such as silicon-on-insulator, may become preferred over SOS. We cannot assure you that the RFIC market will continue to require the performance attributes of SOS solutions. If our products are not accepted more broadly in the RFIC market, our results of operations and business may be harmed.

The average selling prices of sapphire products have historically decreased over their life-cycles and continuing price decreases could adversely affect our results of operations.

Historically, our industry has experienced price decreases for a particular product over the life of that product. We anticipate that the average selling prices of our products may decrease in the future in response to competitive pricing pressures, increased sales discounts and new product introductions by our competitors. To lessen the effect of price decreases, we attempt to introduce new products as well as reduce manufacturing costs in order to maintain or improve our margins. However, if we are not able to successfully introduce new products or achieve these cost reductions in a timely manner, there could be a material adverse effect on our operating results and loss of market share.

We depend on a few customers for a major portion of our sales and our results of operations would be adversely impacted if they reduced their order volumes.

Historically, we have earned, and believe that in the future we will continue to earn, a substantial portion of our revenue from a small number of customers. In 2006, three customers accounted for 10% or more of our revenues and in the first nine months of 2007, three customers accounted for 10% or more of our revenues. In 2006, sales to Crystalwise Technology, Inc., Shinkosha Co., Ltd. and Tera Xtal Technology Corporation represented approximately 27%, 17% and 14% of our revenues, respectively, and in the first nine months of 2007, sales to Crystalwise, Shinkosha and Peregrine Semiconductor Corp. represented approximately 27%, 20% and 12% of our revenues, respectively. If we were to lose one of our major customers or have a major customer significantly reduce its volume of business with us, our revenues and profitability would be materially reduced unless we are able to replace such demand with other orders promptly. We expect to continue to be dependent on our significant customers, the number and identity of which may change from period to period.

We generally sell our products on the basis of purchase orders. We have agreements for longer-term purchase commitments from a few of our major customers; these commitments range from 12 months to 18 months. Those customers with whom we do not have longer-term purchase commitments could cease purchasing our products with little or no notice and without significant penalties. A number of factors could cause our customers to cancel or defer orders, including interruptions to their operations due to a downturn in their industries, natural disasters, delays in manufacturing their own product offerings into which our products are incorporated, securing other sources for the products that we manufacture or developing such products internally.

Our manufacturing processes may be interrupted or our production may be delayed if we cannot maintain sufficient electrical supply, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

Our manufacturing process requires a stable source of electricity. From time to time, we have experienced limited disruptions in our supply of electricity. Such disruptions, depending upon their duration, could result in a significant drop in throughput and yield of in-process crystal boules and create delays in our production. Although we use generators and other back-up sources of electricity, these replacement sources of electricity are only capable of providing effective back-up for limited periods of time. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in avoiding future disruptions in power or in mitigating the effects of such disruptions. Any material disruption in electrical supply could delay our production and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.


 

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Our gross margins and profitability may be adversely affected by rising energy costs.

The average cost of electricity increased significantly at the end of 2006 largely due to the deregulation of energy in the State of Illinois. Electricity prices could also increase due to overall changes to the price of energy due to conditions in the Middle East, natural gas shortages in the United States and other economic conditions and uncertainties regarding the outcome and implications of such events. If electricity prices continue to increase significantly, we may not be able to pass these price increases through to our customers on a timely basis, if at all, which could adversely affect our gross margins and results of operations.

We may not be able to effectively manage our growth, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

We have been experiencing a period of significant growth that has challenged, and will continue to challenge, our management and other resources. Our recent and anticipated growth has placed, and is expected to continue to place, significant strain on our research and development, sales and marketing, and operational and administrative resources. To manage our growth effectively, we must continue to:

 

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implement new, and improve our existing, manufacturing systems, such as inventory control management and process control systems;

 

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enhance and maintain internal controls and accounting systems;

 

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maintain adequate manufacturing facilities and equipment to meet customer demand; and

 

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attract, retain and train qualified technical, managerial, manufacturing, sales and marketing, and administrative employees.

We plan to spend substantial amounts of money to support our growth and may have additional unexpected costs. If we cannot attract a sufficient number of qualified people or manage growth effectively, our actual growth may be slower and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

Our auditors have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. Our business and stock price may be adversely affected if we do not remediate these material weaknesses or if we have other material weaknesses in our internal controls. In addition, once we become subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, investor confidence and our stock price could decline if we or our independent registered public accountants conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is ineffective.

Our independent registered public accounting firm issued a letter to our board of directors and management in which it identified certain matters that it considers to constitute material weaknesses in the design and operation of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. A “control deficiency” exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. A “significant deficiency” is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that adversely affects the entity’s ability to initiate, authorize, record, process or report financial data reliably in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the US (“GAAP”) such that there is more than a remote likelihood that a misstatement of the entity’s financial statements that is more than inconsequential will not be prevented or detected by the entity’s internal control. Our auditors defined a “material weakness” as a significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the financial statements will not be prevented or detected by the entity’s internal control.


 

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The material weaknesses identified by our auditors for the financial reporting period ending December 31, 2006 relate to the following:

 

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Financial reporting and complex accounting transactions.     We do not maintain formal, comprehensive policies and procedures related to our recording of standard, non-standard and recurring journal entries. Furthermore, we do not have adequate processes for identifying and recording properly various complex accounting transactions such as warrants, stock options and financing transactions.

 

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Segregation of duties.     Primarily due to the size of our accounting department, we have not been able to maintain an adequate segregation of duties in key accounting processes. In addition, we have no documented formal accounting policies and procedures that require timely reconciliation and thorough reviews of reconciliations.

 

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Inventory.     We do not maintain perpetual inventory records and do not have a formal inventory system. In addition, we do not have formal production tracking nor do we maintain an inventory master file.

 

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Information technology.     Our auditors identified four areas where improvements are needed in our information technology (“IT”) controls:

 

   

The duties of some of our employees overlap into conflicting areas. We also do not monitor or review the structure of our IT department relative to the rights and responsibilities of current users of our IT systems.

 

   

We do not have a formal approval process in place to define the objectives of our IT department nor do we conduct any periodic evaluation on the control structure of the department. We do not have formally documented policies or processes in place to assess the risk within our IT organization as well as external threats and risks, for conducting back up procedures to protect critical systems or for dealing with IT access by terminated employees.

 

   

We have no procedures in place for detecting, and testing for, external intrusion into our IT systems.

 

   

We do not periodically review and evaluate our system events logs, activity reports or firewall upgrades or configuration.

In addition, our auditors noted several control deficiencies, which are of a lesser magnitude than the material weaknesses described above. These control deficiencies relate to our historical lack of a code of business conduct, our failure to have a process in place to receive, evaluate and retain complaints from our employees regarding questionable practices and our failure to document the process for reconciling our stock records with third party records. Our management and auditors were not required to, and did not, perform an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Had we and our auditors performed such an evaluation, additional material weaknesses and other control deficiencies may have been identified.

Because of these material weaknesses and control deficiencies, there is heightened risk that a material misstatement of our annual or quarterly financial statements will not be prevented or detected. While we have completed a number of our remediation efforts to address these material weaknesses, we cannot assure you that these remediation efforts have been entirely successful or that similar material weaknesses will not occur. Further, if we fail to take additional remediation efforts, we may fail to meet our future SEC reporting obligations, our financial statements may contain material misstatements and our operational results may be harmed.


 

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In addition, in connection with preparing the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, we identified an error in our prior year financial statements. This error related to accounting for convertible debt with detachable warrants containing a beneficial conversion feature that was accounted for incorrectly. These errors resulted in the restatement of our previously issued 2004 and 2005 financial statements.

Once we become a public company, we will be required to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In this regard, beginning with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2008, we will be required on an annual basis to assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and include a statement as to whether or not our internal control over financial reporting is effective. In addition, beginning with our year ending December 31, 2009, we will be required to have our independent registered public accounting firm issue an attestation report on our assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. In conducting our assessment, we will not be able to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective if we have one or more material weaknesses. If we or our independent registered public accountants conclude that our internal control is not effective, our investors could lose confidence in our financial reports and our stock price could decline. An ineffective internal control environment could also adversely effect our ability to report our financial results in a timely manner and could materially adversely affect our business.

Our future operating results are expected to fluctuate significantly, which makes our future results difficult to predict and could cause our operating results for particular periods to fall below expectations.

Our revenues and operating results have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. These fluctuations are due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among others:

 

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timing of orders from and shipments to major customers;

 

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the gain or loss of significant customers;

 

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fluctuations in gross margins as a result of changes in product mix or other factors;

 

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market acceptance of our products and our customers’ products;

 

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our ability to develop, introduce and market new products and technologies on a timely basis;

 

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the need to pay higher labor costs as we continue to grow;

 

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announcements of technological innovations, new products or upgrades to existing products by us or our competitors;

 

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competitive market conditions, including pricing actions by our competitors and our customers’ competitors;

 

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developments in trade secrets, patent or other proprietary rights by us or our competitors;

 

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announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships or divestitures;

 

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interruption of operations at our manufacturing facilities or the facilities of our suppliers;

 

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the level and timing of capital spending of our customers;

 

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additions or departures of key personnel;


 

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potential seasonal fluctuations in our customers’ business activities; and

 

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natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as interruptions in power supply resulting from such events or due to other causes.

The foregoing factors are difficult to forecast, and these, as well as other factors, could materially adversely affect our quarterly or annual operating results. If our revenues or operating results fall below the expectations of investors or any securities analysts that may publish research on our company, the price of our common stock would likely decline.

Our gross margins could decline as a result of changes in our product mix and other factors, which may adversely impact our operating results.

We anticipate that our gross margins will fluctuate from period to period as a result of the mix of products that we sell in any given period, with our larger diameter sapphire products generally yielding higher gross margins than our smaller diameter products. If our sales mix shifts to lower margin products in future periods, our overall gross margin levels and operating results would be adversely impacted. Increased competition and the adoption of alternatives to our products, more complex engineering requirements, lower demand and other factors may lead to a further downward shift in our product margins, leading to price erosion and lower revenues for us in the future.

Our proprietary intellectual property rights may not adequately protect our products and technologies, and the failure to protect such rights could harm our competitive position and adversely affect our operating results.

To protect our technology, we have chosen to rely primarily on trade secrets rather than seeking protection through publicly filed patents. Trade secrets are inherently difficult to protect. While we believe we use reasonable efforts to protect our trade secrets, our directors, employees, consultants or contractors may unintentionally or willfully disclose our information to competitors, whether during or after the termination of their services to our company. If we were to seek to enforce a claim that a third-party had illegally obtained and was using our trade secrets, it would be expensive and time consuming, and the outcome would be unpredictable. In addition, courts outside the United States are sometimes less willing to protect trade secrets than US courts. Moreover, if our competitors independently develop equivalent knowledge, methods and know-how, it will be more difficult for us to protect our intellectual property and our business could be harmed.

We have no issued patents covering our products and technologies. Although we have filed applications for three patents, there can be no assurance that these patents will be issued or that any patents issued will be of significant value to our business. Our commercial success will depend on obtaining and maintaining trade secret, patent and other intellectual property protection of our products and technologies. We will only be able to protect products and technologies from unauthorized use by third parties to the extent that valid, protectable and enforceable trade secrets, patents or other intellectual property rights cover them.

If we are not able to defend the trade secret or patent protection positions of our products and technologies, then we may not be able to successfully compete with competitors developing or marketing competing products, and we may not generate enough revenue from product sales to justify the cost of development of our products and to achieve or maintain profitability.


 

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The protection of our intellectual property rights and the defense of claims of infringement against us by third parties may subject us to costly litigation.

Other companies might allege that we are infringing certain of their patents or other rights. If we are unable to resolve these matters satisfactorily, or to obtain licenses on acceptable terms, we may face litigation. Any litigation to enforce patents issued to us, to protect trade secrets or know-how possessed by us or to defend us or indemnify others against claimed infringement of the rights of others could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results. For example, one company has filed lawsuits against us and one of our executive officers alleging, among other things, misappropriation of trade secrets in connection with our employment of the executive officer, who was previously employed by the plaintiff. See “Business—Legal proceedings” for additional discussion of these lawsuits. Regardless of the validity or successful outcome of any such intellectual property claims, we may need to expend significant time and expense to protect our intellectual property rights or to defend against claims of infringement by third parties, which could have a material adverse effect on us. If we lose any such litigation where we are alleged to infringe the rights of others, we may be required to: pay substantial damages; seek licenses from others; or change, or stop manufacturing or selling, some or all of our products. Any of these outcomes could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

The markets in which we operate are very competitive, and many of our competitors and potential competitors are larger, more established and better capitalized than we are.

The markets for selling high-quality sapphire products are very competitive and have been characterized by rapid technological change. This competition could result in increased pricing pressure, reduced profit margins, increased sales and marketing expenses, and failure to increase, or the loss of, market share or expected market share, any of which would likely seriously harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

Some of our competitors and potential competitors are substantially larger and have greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do. Given their capital resources, the large companies with whom we compete or may compete in the future, are in a better position to substantially increase their manufacturing capacity, research and development efforts or to withstand any significant reduction in orders by customers in our markets. Such larger companies typically have broader product lines and market focus and thus are not as susceptible to downturns in a particular market. In addition, some of our competitors have been in operation much longer than we have and therefore may have more long-standing and established relationships with our current and potential domestic and foreign customers.

We would be at a competitive disadvantage if our competitors bring their products to market earlier, if their products are more technologically capable than ours, or if any of our competitors’ products or technologies were to become preferred in the industry. Moreover, we cannot assure you that existing or potential customers will not develop their own products, or acquire companies with products, that are competitive with our products. Any of these competitive threats could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.


 

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We are subject to risks from international sales that may harm our operating results.

In 2006 and the first nine months of 2007, revenues from international sales were approximately 89% and 78% of our total revenue. We expect that revenue from international sales will continue to constitute a significant portion of our total revenue for the foreseeable future. Our international sales are subject to a variety of risks, including risks arising from:

 

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trading restrictions, tariffs, trade barriers and taxes;

 

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economic and political risks, wars, acts of terrorism, political unrest, pandemics, such as a recurrence of the SARS outbreak or avian flu, boycotts, curtailments of trade and other business restrictions;

 

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the difficulty of enforcing contracts and collecting receivables through some foreign legal systems;

 

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unexpected changes in regulatory requirements and other governmental approvals, permits and licenses;

 

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sales variability as a result of transacting our foreign sales in US dollars as prices for our products become less competitive in countries with currencies that are low or are declining in value against the US dollar and more competitive in countries with currencies that are high or increasing in value against the US dollar; and

 

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periodic foreign economic downturns.

Our future success will depend on our ability to anticipate and effectively manage these and other risks associated with our international sales. Our failure to manage any of these risks could harm our operating results.

We are dependent on the continued services and performance of our senior management, the loss of any of whom could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our future success is dependent on the continued services and continuing contributions of our senior management who must work together effectively in order to design our products, expand our business, increase our revenues and improve our operating results. The loss of services of senior management, particularly Raja M Parvez, our president and chief executive officer, and Hap Hewes, our senior vice president sales and marketing, could significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our development and strategic objectives. In addition, key personnel may be distracted by activities unrelated to our business. We and Mr. Hewes are currently defendants in a lawsuit in which the plaintiff, a former employer of Mr. Hewes, is seeking a one-year prohibition on Mr. Hewes from competing with the plaintiff. See “Business—Legal proceedings” for additional discussion of this lawsuit. The loss of the services, or distraction, of our senior management for any reason could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

If we are unable to attract or retain qualified personnel, our business and product development efforts could be harmed.

Our success depends on our continued ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain and motivate highly skilled technical, managerial, manufacturing, administrative and sales and marketing personnel. Competition for these individuals is intense, and we may not be able to successfully recruit, assimilate or retain sufficiently qualified personnel. In particular, we may encounter difficulties in recruiting and retaining a sufficient number of qualified technical personnel, which could harm our ability to develop new products and adversely impact our relationships with existing and future customers. The inability to


 

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attract and retain necessary technical, managerial, manufacturing, administrative and sales and marketing personnel could harm our ability to obtain new customers and develop new products and could adversely affect our business and operating results.

We rely on a limited number of suppliers for raw materials and key components.

We depend on a small number of suppliers for certain raw materials, components, services and equipment used in manufacturing our products, including key materials such as aluminum oxide and certain furnace components. We generally purchase these items with purchase orders, and we have no guaranteed supply arrangements with such suppliers. We are subject to variations in the cost of raw materials and consumables from period to period. We do not control the time and resources that these suppliers devote to our business, and we cannot be sure that these suppliers will perform their obligations to us or do so on a timely basis. In addition, some of these suppliers are located in regions of the world that may experience periods of political or economic instability.

Any significant delay in product delivery or other interruption or variation in supply from our key suppliers could prevent us from meeting demand for our products and from obtaining future business. If we were to lose key suppliers or our key suppliers were unable to support our demand, our manufacturing operations could be interrupted and we could be required to attempt to establish supply arrangements with other suppliers. In addition, the inability of our suppliers to support our demand could be indicative of a marketwide scarcity of the materials, which could result in even longer interruptions. Any such delay or interruption would impair our ability to meet our customers’ needs and therefore, could damage our customer relationships, and have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

Our products must meet exacting specifications, and undetected defects may occur, which may cause customers to return or stop buying our products.

Our customers establish demanding specifications for quality, performance, and reliability that our products must meet. While we inspect our products before shipment, they still may contain undetected defects. If defects occur in our products, we could experience lost revenue, increased costs, delays in, cancellations or rescheduling of orders or shipments, product returns or discounts or damage to our reputation, any of which would harm our operating results and our business. We have from time to time in the past experienced product quality, performance or reliability problems. For example, in 2005, before establishing our current manufacturing and quality control processes, we experienced a higher than expected rate of defects in our since discontinued two inch polished wafer product line, which led to an increase in the number and frequency of returns.

We may need to raise additional funding, which may not be available on favorable terms, if at all, or without substantial ownership dilution to our stockholders. If we do not raise any necessary funds, we may need to reduce certain aspects of our operations which could materially adversely affect our business prospects.

For the remainder of 2007, we expect to spend approximately $4.5 million for capital expenditures, primarily to increase our manufacturing infrastructure and capacity. We expect to spend between $12.0 million to $17.0 million per year for each of the next two years on capital expenditures to support our expected sales growth. We believe that the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash, cash equivalents and investment balances, and interest income we earn on these balances, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, we may need additional financing thereafter to execute on our current or future business strategies. We expect


 

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capital outlays and operating expenditures to increase over the next several years as we expand our infrastructure, manufacturing and research and development activities. The amount of additional capital we may need to raise depends on many factors, including:

 

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the level of capital expenditures required to expand our operations;

 

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the amount and growth rate of our revenues;

 

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the number and size of any acquisitions we may make;

 

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the costs of defending and enforcing intellectual property rights; and

 

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competing technological and market developments.

We cannot be certain that additional capital will be available when and as needed or that our actual cash requirements will not be greater than anticipated. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders could be significantly diluted, and these newly-issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. If we obtain additional debt financing, a substantial portion of our operating cash flow may be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on such indebtedness, and the terms of the debt securities issued could impose significant restrictions on our operations. If we are unable to obtain financing on terms favorable to us, we may be unable to successfully execute our business plan.

We are subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations, which could expose us to environmental liabilities, increase our manufacturing and related compliance costs or otherwise adversely affect our business and operating results.

In our manufacturing process, we use water, oils, slurries, acids, adhesives and other industrial chemicals. We are subject to a variety of foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment. These environmental laws and regulations include those relating to the use, storage, handling, discharge, emission, disposal and reporting of toxic, volatile or otherwise hazardous materials used in our manufacturing processes. These materials may have been or could be released into the environment at properties currently or previously operated by us, at other locations during the transport of the materials, or at properties to which we send substances for treatment or disposal. If we were to violate or become liable under environmental laws and regulations or become non-compliant with permits required at some of our facilities, we could be held financially responsible and incur substantial costs, including investigation and cleanup costs, fines and civil or criminal sanctions, third-party property damage or personal injury claims. In addition, new laws and regulations or stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations could give rise to additional compliance costs and liabilities.

Our operations are concentrated in a small number of nearby facilities, and the unavailability of one or more of these facilities could harm our business.

Our manufacturing, research and development, sales and marketing, and administrative activities are concentrated in our facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area. If, for any reason, including as a result of natural disaster, act of terrorism, war, outbreak of disease or other similar event, any of these facilities should be damaged or destroyed or become inaccessible or inoperable, our ability to conduct our business could be adversely affected or interrupted entirely.


 

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We may acquire other businesses, products or technologies; if we do, we may be unable to integrate them with our business effectively or at all, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

If we find appropriate opportunities, we may acquire complementary businesses, product lines or technologies. However, if we acquire a business, product line or technology, the process of integration may produce unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures and may absorb significant attention of our management that would otherwise be available for the ongoing development of our business. Further, the acquisition of a business may result in the assumption of unknown liabilities or create risks with respect to our existing relationships with suppliers and customers. If we make acquisitions, we may issue shares of stock that dilute other stockholders, expend cash, incur debt, assume contingent liabilities or create additional expenses related to amortizing intangible assets, any of which may adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.

Changes in accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other standard setting bodies may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

Our financial statements are subject to the application of GAAP. From time to time, new accounting standards are issued or existing ones are revised by recognized authorities, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board. We may be required to adopt these new or revised accounting standards. It is possible that future accounting standards could change the current accounting treatment that we apply to our financial statements and such changes may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

RISKS RELATED TO OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND THIS OFFERING

Our common stock has not been publicly traded, and the price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially.

There has been no public market for our common stock before this offering. The initial public offering price of our common stock will be negotiated with the lead underwriters and the market price at which our common stock will trade following this offering will be determined by market forces. The investors who trade in our common stock may give different weight to factors or valuation methodologies or consider new factors or valuation methodologies other than those relied upon in determining our initial public offering price. Moreover, the price negotiated with the lead underwriters and the market price at which our common stock will trade following this offering may be lower than the historical per share value of our common stock. In addition, we cannot predict the extent to which a trading market will develop for our common stock or how liquid that market might become.

Factors related to our company and our business, as well as broad market and industry factors, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. Factors that could cause fluctuations in our stock price include, among other things:

 

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changes in market valuations of other companies in our industry;

 

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changes in financial guidance or estimates by us, by investors or by any financial analysts who might cover our stock or our industry;

 

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our ability to meet the performance expectations of financial analysts or investors;

 

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announcements by us or our competitors of significant products, contracts, acquisitions or strategic partnerships;


 

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general market and economic conditions; and

 

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the size of the public float of our stock.

Fluctuations caused by factors such as these may negatively affect the market price of our common stock. In addition, the other risks described elsewhere in this prospectus could adversely affect our stock price.

Management will have broad discretion for the use of proceeds from this offering, including the ability to apply the proceeds to uses that do not increase our operating results or market value.

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $63.1 million from this offering. Assuming the underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full, we will receive net proceeds of approximately $75.2 million from this offering. These amounts assume an initial offering price of $13.00 per share, the midpoint of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus. Approximately $7.5 million of such net proceeds will be used to repay existing indebtedness. Our management will have broad discretion in the use of the remaining net proceeds and may use these remaining net proceeds in ways that do not improve our operating results or market value or to which certain stockholders object. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether these remaining net proceeds are being used appropriately.

Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

If our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock following this offering, the prevailing market price for our common stock could be adversely affected. Such sales by our stockholders might make it more difficult for us to issue new equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and place we deem appropriate. Upon completion of this offering, based on the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of October 31, 2007 (assuming the conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into common stock and the net exercise of certain warrants immediately prior to the closing of this offering), we will have 19,391,387 shares of common stock outstanding. The 5,500,000 shares of common stock offered in this offering will be eligible for immediate resale in the public market without restrictions. The remaining 13,891,387 shares of common stock, which are currently held by our existing stockholders, may be sold in the public market in the future subject to the restrictions contained in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). However, our stockholders, officers and directors, as well as each of the persons who will serve as our officers and directors upon the consummation of this offering, holding in the aggregate approximately 86% of our outstanding shares before giving effect to the offering have agreed with the underwriters that, without the prior written consent of the underwriters, they will not for a period of approximately six months from the closing of this offering, offer, sell, contract to sell, encumber, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any of our securities. There are no agreements between the underwriters and any of our stockholders or affiliates releasing them from these lock-up agreements as of the date hereof. When the lock-up agreements expire or are terminated, approximately 12,332,082 shares of our common stock will be eligible for sale under Rule 144, Rule 144(d) or Rule 701 under the Securities Act. After the completion of this offering, the holders of an aggregate of approximately 12,201,629 shares of common stock will have registration rights. Following this offering, we intend to register all shares of common stock that we may issue under our stock option plans. Once we register these shares, they may be freely sold in the public market, subject to the lock-up restrictions described above, and subject, in the case of any awards under our stock-based compensation plans, to applicable vesting requirements.

You will experience immediate dilution in the book value of common stock purchased.

The initial public offering price per share is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our outstanding common stock prior to the offering. Accordingly, if you purchase our common stock in this offering, you will incur immediate dilution of approximately $8.50 in the net tangible


 

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book value per share from the price you pay for our common stock, representing the difference between (i) the assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share (the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the front cover of this prospectus) and (ii) the pro forma net tangible book value per share of $4.50 at September 30, 2007 after giving effect to this offering, which takes into account the $5.42 per share purchase price paid by our existing stockholders for their              shares of common stock. See “Dilution” in this prospectus for additional information.

Our board of directors does not intend to declare or pay any dividends to our stockholders in the foreseeable future.

The declaration, payment and amount of any future dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, and will depend upon, among other things, the results of our operations, cash flows and financial condition, operating and capital requirements, and other factors the board of directors considers relevant. There is no plan to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, and if dividends are paid, there can be no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend.

We will incur increased costs and demands upon management as a result of complying with the laws and regulations affecting public companies, which could adversely affect our operating results.

We will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) following the completion of this offering. As a public company we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company, including costs associated with public company reporting requirements. We also have incurred and will incur costs associated with corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules implemented by the SEC and the NASDAQ Global Market. In addition, our management team will have to adapt to the requirements of being a public company. The expenses incurred by public companies generally for reporting and corporate governance purposes have been significant. We expect these rules and regulations to substantially increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly. We are unable to currently estimate these costs with any degree of certainty. We also expect that these rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage than used to be available. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our board of directors or as our executive officers.

The concentration of our capital stock ownership with our directors and executive officers and their affiliates will limit your ability to influence corporate matters.

We anticipate that after the completion of this offering, our executive officers and directors and their affiliates will together own more than 61% of our outstanding capital stock and voting power. For the foreseeable future, they will have influence over our management and affairs and over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our company or our assets. Their ownership may limit your ability to influence corporate matters and, as a result, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected.

We could be the subject of securities class action litigation due to future stock price volatility.

The stock market in general, and market prices for the securities of companies like ours, recently have experienced extreme volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of the


 

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Risk factors


 

underlying companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. When the market price of a stock declines significantly, holders of that stock have sometimes instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. If any of our stockholders brought a lawsuit against us, our defense of the lawsuit could be costly and divert the time and attention of our management.

Our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and Delaware law may discourage takeovers and business combinations that our stockholders might consider in their best interests.

A number of provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law, may have the effect of delaying, deterring, preventing or rendering more difficult a change in control of Rubicon that our stockholders might consider in their best interests. These provisions include:

 

Ø  

establishment of a classified board of directors;

 

Ø  

granting to the board of directors sole power to set the number of directors and to fill any vacancy on the board of directors, whether such vacancy occurs as a result of an increase in the number of directors or otherwise;

 

Ø  

limitations on the ability of stockholders to remove directors;

 

Ø  

the ability of our board of directors to designate and issue one or more series of preferred stock without stockholder approval, the terms of which may be determined at the sole discretion of the board of directors;

 

Ø  

prohibition on stockholders from calling special meetings of stockholders;

 

Ø  

prohibition on stockholders from acting by written consent; and

 

Ø  

establishment of advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations for election to the board of directors at stockholder meetings.

These provisions may prevent our stockholders from receiving the benefit from any premium to the market price of our common stock offered by a bidder in a takeover context. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if they are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future.

The foregoing provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may also make it difficult for stockholders to replace or remove our management. These provisions may facilitate management entrenchment that may delay, deter, render more difficult or prevent a change in our control, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders. See “Description of capital stock” for additional information on the anti-takeover measures applicable to us.


 

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Special note regarding forward-looking statements

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this prospectus regarding our future strategy, results of operations, financial position, net sales, projected costs, projected expenses, prospects and plans and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward looking statements can be identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “target”, “estimate”, “expect”, and the like, and/or future-tense or conditional constructions (“will”, “may”, “could”, “should”, etc.). Items contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future sales, market size and trends or operating results also constitute forward-looking statements.

Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Before investing in our common stock, investors should be aware that the occurrence of the risks, uncertainties and events described in the section entitled “Risk factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, business, economic and other risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this prospectus, other than as may be required by applicable law or regulation. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected.

This prospectus also contains statistical data and estimates, including those relating to market size and growth rates of the markets in which we participate, that we obtained from industry publications and reports generated by market research firms. These publications typically indicate that they have obtained their information from sources they believe to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of their information. Although we have assessed the information in the publications and found it to be reasonable and believe the publications are reliable, we have not independently verified their data.

You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect.


 

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Use of proceeds

We estimate that our net proceeds from the sale of the common stock we are offering hereby will be approximately $63.1 million, assuming an initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses that we must pay. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock by the selling stockholders. If the underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full, we estimate that our net proceeds would be approximately $75.2 million, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses that we must pay. Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $5.1 million after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same. Depending on market conditions at the time of pricing of this offering and other considerations, we may sell fewer or more shares than the number set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

The principal purposes of this offering are to obtain additional capital and to create a public market for our common stock. We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to pay in full the principal and accrued interest outstanding under our loan and security agreement with Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., dated as of April 9, 2007, which was approximately $6.1 million as of September 30, 2007. The loan and security agreement provides for a term loan in an aggregate principal amount of $12 million and a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $4 million. The term loan bears interest at the prime rate (which was 8.25% as of September 30, 2007) plus 3.375%, and the revolving credit facility bears interest at the prime rate plus 0.25%. The term loan has a maturity date of December 31, 2010 and the revolving credit facility has a maturity date of April 1, 2008. There is no penalty for prepayment of the term loan. We used the proceeds of this loan for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. We expect to use the remaining net proceeds from this offering for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes.

Until we use the net proceeds from this offering for the above purposes, we intend to invest the proceeds in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities.


 

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Dividend policy

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable laws and compliance with contractual restrictions, and will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, future prospects and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation in effect immediately prior to this offering requires that all accrued but unpaid dividends on the outstanding shares of our preferred stock be fully paid prior to any payment of dividends to the holders of our common stock, unless otherwise approved by the holders of a majority of that series of preferred stock. In addition, it requires that any dividend declared on the shares of our common stock also be declared on the shares of our outstanding preferred stock on an as-converted to common stock basis. Upon the closing of this offering, all accrued but unpaid dividends on our outstanding preferred stock will convert into shares of our common stock.


 

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Capitalization

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2007:

 

Ø  

on an actual basis, after giving effect to a 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock that was effected August 30, 2007;

 

Ø  

on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into shares of common stock, the issuance of 3,426,641 shares of common stock to the holders of preferred stock in satisfaction of dividends that have accrued on the outstanding preferred stock through September 30, 2007, the conversion of outstanding preferred stock warrants into common stock warrants and the reclassification of the preferred stock warrant liability to additional paid-in capital upon the completion of this offering; and

 

Ø  

on a pro forma as adjusted basis, after giving effect to our receipt of the net proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock offered by us in this offering, at an assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the repayment of approximately $7.5 million of outstanding indebtedness, the automatic net exercise of those warrants that expire on the closing of this offering into 38,843 shares of common stock and the assumed net exercise of warrants by two selling stockholders at the closing of this offering into 4,932 shares of common stock in the aggregate, based on an assumed fair market value of one share of our common stock at the time of exercise equal to $13.00, which is the midpoint of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus and further assuming that those warrants have not been exercised prior to the closing of this offering.

You should read this table together with our financial statements and related notes, “Use of proceeds”, “Selected financial data” and “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    

As of September 30, 2007

 
       Actual     Pro forma    

Pro forma

as adjusted (1)

 
    

(unaudited)

(in thousands, other than share and per
share data)

 

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (less current maturities of $754)

   $ 3,914     $ 3,914     $ —    
                        

Redeemable equity

      

Redeemable convertible preferred stock: $0.001 par value per share; 140,285,871 shares authorized and 96,270,146 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis; liquidation amount: $94,003; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding on a pro forma and pro forma as adjusted basis

     142,284       —         —    
                        

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

      

Preferred stock: $0.001 par value per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued and outstanding on an actual, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted basis

      

Common stock: $0.001 par value per share; 85,000,000 shares authorized, 521,814 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis; 75,000,000 shares authorized, 13,739,637 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis; 75,000,000 shares authorized,      shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma as adjusted basis

     7       15       21  

Additional paid-in capital

           150,205       213,295  

Accumulated deficit

     (126,544 )     (126,544 )     (126,544 )
                        

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     (126,537 )     23,676       86,772  
                        

Total capitalization

   $ 19,661     $ 27,590       86,772  
                        

(footnotes on following page)


 

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Capitalization


 


(1)   Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share would increase (decrease) the amount of additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ equity (deficit) and total capitalization by approximately $5.1 million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions payable by us.

The above table excludes the following:

 

Ø  

for purposes of pro forma amounts, 910,865 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2007, with a weighted average exercise price of $4.33 per share;

 

Ø  

for purposes of pro forma as adjusted amounts, 806,972 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2007, with a weighted average exercise price of $3.92 per share, but includes the 38,843 shares of common stock that will be issued pursuant to the automatic net exercise provisions of those warrants that expire upon the closing of this offering and the aggregate of 4,932 shares of common stock that will be issued upon the net exercise of warrants held by two of the selling stockholders;

 

Ø  

1,399,113 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options as of September 30, 2007, with a weighted average exercise price of $3.64 per share;

 

Ø  

21,878 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2001 Equity Plan as of September 30, 2007; and

 

Ø  

2,307,692 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, which was adopted on August 29, 2007.


 

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Dilution

If you invest in our common stock, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of our common stock and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering.

Our pro forma net tangible book value as of September 30, 2007 was approximately $23.7 million, or $1.72 per share of common stock. Pro forma net tangible book value per share represents the amount of our total tangible assets less our total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding, as of September 30, 2007, after giving effect to the conversion of all of our preferred stock into shares of our common stock, the issuance of 3,426,641 shares of common stock in payment of accrued dividends on our outstanding preferred stock as of September 30, 2007, the automatic net exercise of those warrants that expire on the closing of this offering into 38,843 shares of common stock and the assumed net exercise of warrants by two selling stockholders at the closing of this offering into 4,932 shares of common stock in the aggregate, based on an assumed fair market value of one share of our common stock at the time of exercise equal to $13.00, which is the midpoint of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus and further assuming that those warrants have not been exercised prior to the closing of this offering.

After giving effect to our sale of shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our adjusted pro forma net tangible book value as of September 30, 2007 would have been approximately $86.8 million, or approximately $4.50 per share. This amount represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $2.78 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of approximately $8.50 per share to new investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering as illustrated in the table below. Net tangible book value dilution per share to new investors represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of common stock in this offering and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of common stock immediately after giving effect to this offering.

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

      $ 13.00

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2007, before giving effect to this offering

   $ 1.72   

Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to investors purchasing shares in this offering

     2.78   

Adjusted pro forma net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering

        4.50
         

Dilution per share to new investors in this offering

      $ 8.50
         

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share would increase (decrease) our adjusted pro forma net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering by $0.27 and the dilution in adjusted pro forma net tangible book value to new investors in this offering by $0.27 per share, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

If the underwriters’ overallotment option is exercised in full, the pro forma net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering would be approximately $4.88 per share, and the dilution in adjusted pro forma net tangible book value per share to investors in this offering would be approximately $8.12 per share.


 

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Dilution


 

The following table presents on a pro forma basis, as of September 30, 2007, after giving effect to the sale by us of 5,500,000 shares of common stock, conversion of all of our preferred stock, the issuance of shares of common stock in payment of accrued dividends on our outstanding preferred stock, the automatic net exercise of those warrants that expire on the closing of this offering and the assumed net exercise of warrants by two selling stockholders at the closing of this offering based on an assumed fair market value of one share of our common stock at the time of exercise equal to $13.00, which is the midpoint of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus and further assuming that those warrants have not been exercised prior to the closing of this offering, the differences between the number of shares purchased from us and the total consideration paid to us and the average price per share that existing stockholders and new investors paid. The calculation below is based on an assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses that we must pay.

 

     Shares purchased     Total consideration      
       Number    Percent     Amount    Percent    

Average price

per share

     (in thousands, other than per share data and percentages)

Existing stockholders

   13,783    71 %   $ 74,694    51 %   $ 5.42

New investors

   5,500    29       71,500    49       13.00
                          

Total

   19,283    100 %   $ 146,194    100 %  
                          

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share would increase (decrease) total consideration paid to us by investors participating in this offering by approximately $5.1 million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

If the underwriters’ overallotment option is exercised in full, our existing stockholders would own approximately 68% and our new investors would own approximately 32% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding after this offering.

The above discussion and table exclude the following:

 

Ø  

806,972 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2007, with a weighted average exercise price of $3.92 per share, but includes the shares of common stock that will be issued pursuant to the automatic net exercise of those warrants that expire upon the closing of this offering and the shares of common stock that will be issued upon the net exercise of warrants held by two of the selling stockholders;

 

Ø  

1,399,113 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options as of September 30, 2007, with a weighted average exercise price of $3.64 per share;

 

Ø  

21,878 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2001 Equity Plan as of September 30, 2007; and

 

Ø  

2,307,692 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, which was adopted in August 2007.

If all of these options and warrants were exercised, there would be further dilution to new investors. If all of our outstanding options and warrants were exercised, our pro forma net tangible book value as of September 30, 2007 would have been $1.48 per share and our adjusted pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to this offering would have been $4.03 per share, causing dilution to new investors purchasing shares in this offering of $8.97 per share. In addition, if all of our outstanding options and warrants were exercised, on an adjusted pro forma basis and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses that we must pay, existing stockholders will have purchased 16,049,345 shares, or 74% of the shares purchased from us, for approximately $83.4 million, or 57% of the total consideration paid to us, with an average price of $5.20 per share. Shares purchased by new investors would then represent 26% of the shares purchased from us for 43% of the total consideration.


 

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Selected financial data

The following statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 have been derived from our audited financial statements and related notes, which are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 have been derived from audited financial statements not included in this prospectus. The statements of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007 and the balance sheet data as of September 30, 2007 have been derived from our unaudited financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” and our financial statements and related notes, included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Our unaudited financial statements include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of this data. The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for a full fiscal year. Additionally, our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected in the future.


 

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Selected financial data


 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

    Year ended December 31,     Nine months ended
September 30,
 
Statements of operations data:   2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2006     2007  
                                  (unaudited)  
    (in thousands other than share and per share data)  

Revenue

  $ 4,023     $ 8,560     $ 16,043     $ 16,315     $ 20,752     $ 14,698     $ 24,565  

Cost of goods sold

    5,537       5,834       14,815       18,508       18,885       13,910       16,236  
                                                       

Gross profit (loss)

    (1,514 )     2,726       1,228       (2,193 )     1,867       788       8,329  
                                                       

Operating expenses:

             

General and administrative

    2,965       2,981       3,029       4,688       3,298       2,620       3,578  

Sales and marketing

    774       975       1,586       1,266       1,062       889       492  

Research and development

    630       1,797       922       861       679       519       553  

Asset impairment

                            933              

Loss on disposal of assets

                      383       42       35       139  
                                                       

Total operating expenses

    4,369       5,753       5,537       7,198       6,014       4,063       4,762  
                                                       

Profit (loss) from operations

    (5,883 )     (3,027 )     (4,309 )     (9,391 )     (4,147 )     (3,275 )     3,567  

Other income (expense)

    (169 )     (700 )     (1,052 )     (2,735 )     (3,272 )     (1,899 )     (4,380 )
                                                       

Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

    (6,052 )     (3,727 )     (5,361 )     (12,126 )     (7,419 )     (5,174 )     (813 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

                            (221 )     (221 )      
                                                       

Net loss

    (6,052 )     (3,727 )     (5,361 )     (12,126 )     (7,640 )     (5,395 )     (813 )

Dividends on preferred stock

    (889 )     (1,781 )     (2,631 )     (3,924 )     (5,563 )     (4,133 )     (4,712 )

Accretion of redeemable preferred stock

          (2,580 )     (2,681 )     4,404       (23,416 )     (6,127 )     (46,222 )
                                                       

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

  $ (6,941 )   $ (8,088 )   $ (10,673 )   $ (11,646 )   $ (36,619 )   $ (15,655 )   $ (51,747 )
                                                       

Net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

  $ (34.96 )   $ (35.46 )   $ (46.79 )   $ (47.52 )   $ (146.57 )   $ (62.71 )   $ (179.92 )
                                                       

Weighted shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

    198,523       228,077       228,124       245,073       249,843       249,657       287,614  

 

    As of December 31,    

As of
September 30, 2007

Balance sheet data:   2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     Actual     Pro Forma
                    (in thousands)     (unaudited)

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 3,123     $ 2,208     $ 3,948     $ 1,466     $ 3,638     $ 1,166     $ 1,166

Working capital

    3,257       2,048       1,969       3,600       (388 )     (5,634 )     2,295

Total assets

    14,128       19,952       29,082       28,885       29,020       34,843       34,843

Convertible preferred stock warrant liability

                            3,773       7,929      

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current maturities

    1,417       3,115       2,241       4,741       2,628       3,914       3,914

Redeemable convertible preferred stock

    20,862       29,973       47,427       59,365       93,897       142,284      

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

    (11,147 )     (19,204 )     (29,877 )     (39,573 )     (77,593 )     (126,537 )     23,676

 

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Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You should review the “Risk factors” section of this prospectus for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements described in the following discussion and analysis.

OVERVIEW

We are an advanced electronic materials provider that develops, manufactures and sells monocrystalline sapphire and other innovative crystalline products for LEDs, RFICs, blue laser diodes, optoelectronics and other optical applications.

We are a vertically integrated manufacturer of high-quality sapphire substrates and optical windows that are used in a variety of high-growth, high-volume end-market applications. We provide our products to the solid state lighting, semiconductor, consumer electronics, aerospace, sensor and other end markets. We sell sapphire products as cores and wafers in two inch to six inch diameters, and we sell sapphire and optical windows in sizes from one inch to nine inch diameters. We derive the majority of our revenue from sales of two inch to four inch sapphire cores and wafers for use in LEDs for solid state lighting applications and LEDs and blue laser diodes for consumer electronic applications. In addition, we have developed six inch sapphire wafers that are used for Silicon-on-Sapphire RFICs, and we supply large diameter sapphire and optical windows for military, aerospace, sensor and other applications.

Since our inception, our revenue has increased each year. Our revenue was $16.0 million in 2004, $16.3 million in 2005, $20.8 million in 2006 and $24.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Our net loss was $5.4 million in 2004, $12.1 million in 2005, $7.6 million in 2006 and $813,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Our results in 2005 were adversely impacted by significant decreases in two inch polished sapphire substrate prices and in 2006 we made the strategic decision to exit the two inch polished sapphire substrate market. By exiting this market and not competing with our polishing customers, we were able to expand our product offerings to these customers to include higher margin products, which improved our overall gross margins. Moreover, in 2006, we introduced cost control and engineering improvements, which further contributed to our improved gross margins.

We sell our products on a global basis. The Asian, North American and European markets accounted for 87%, 11% and 2%, respectively, of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2006 and 76%, 22% and 2%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

We provide direct sales from our Franklin Park, Illinois offices. Additionally, we use independent sales representatives, working on commission, in South Korea and China to assist in supporting our customers in these countries. Customers in South Korea and China place orders directly with us. Substantially all of our revenue is generated by our direct sales force and we expect this to continue as we expand our sales organization in the future.


 

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We manufacture and ship our products from our facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area. We have approximately 102,600 square feet of manufacturing and office space, which includes a 30,000 square foot facility that we leased in July 2007 to expand our manufacturing capacity.

Financial operations

Revenue.     Revenue consists of sales of sapphire materials sold in core, as-cut, as-ground and polished forms in two, four and six inch diameters as well as optical materials sold as blanks or polished windows. Products are made to varying specifications, such as crystal planar orientations and thicknesses. The variation in the mix of sales of product types and diameters can impact revenue. For instance, a mix shift to larger diameter products and higher value-added wafers may increase our revenue. Revenue is subject to both quarterly and annual fluctuations as a result of product mix considerations.

Historically, a significant portion of our revenue in each quarter has been derived from sales to relatively few customers. For the year ended December 31, 2006, we had three customers that accounted for approximately 27%, 17%, and 14% of our revenue and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we had three customers that accounted for 27%, 20% and 12% of our revenue. Other than as discussed above, none of our customers accounted for more than 10% of our revenue for such periods. Although we are attempting to diversify and expand our customer base, we expect our revenue to continue to be concentrated among a small number of customers. We expect that our significant customers may change from period to period.

We sell to all customers pursuant to purchase orders and have longer-term (12-18 month) supply agreements with several key customers. We recognize revenue upon shipment to our customers. Delays in product orders or changes to the timing of shipments under our supply agreements could cause our quarterly revenue to vary significantly. We derive a significant portion of our revenue from customers outside of the United States. The majority of our sales are to the Asian market and we expect that region to continue to be a major source of revenue for us. All of our revenue is denominated in US dollars.

Cost of goods sold.     Cost of goods sold consists primarily of manufacturing materials, labor, manufacturing-related overhead such as utilities, depreciation and rent, provisions for excess and obsolete inventory reserves, freight and warranties. We manufacture our products based on customer orders. We purchase materials and supplies to support such demand. We are subject to variations in the cost of raw materials and consumables from period to period because we do not have long-term fixed-price agreements with our suppliers. Since the usage of electricity in our manufacturing processes is significant, any fluctuations in the cost of electricity will have an impact on our cost of manufacturing.

Gross profit.     Our gross profit has increased significantly over the past twelve months due to improved manufacturing and purchasing efficiencies, economies of scale related to higher unit volumes, product mix shift to larger diameters and our decision in 2006 to discontinue sales of two inch polished wafers. Our gross profit has been and will continue to be affected by a variety of factors, including average sales prices of our products, product mix, our ability to reduce manufacturing costs and fluctuations in the cost of electricity, raw materials and other supplies.

General and administrative expenses.     General and administrative expenses (“G&A”) consist primarily of salaries and associated costs for employees in finance, human resources, information technology and administrative activities, and charges for accounting, legal, and insurance fees, and, beginning in 2006, stock-based compensation under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, (“SFAS 123R”). After this offering, we will incur significant additional accounting, legal, insurance, investor relations and other costs associated with being a public company.


 

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Sales and marketing expenses.     Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and associated costs for employees engaged in sales activities, commissions paid to third party representatives, product samples, charges for trade shows and travel. We expect these expenses to increase in future periods based on planned increases in personnel to meet expected growth, although they may decrease as a percentage of revenue.

Research and development expenses.     Research and development (“R&D”) expenses include costs related to engineering personnel, materials and other product development related costs. R&D is expensed as incurred. We believe our R&D expenses will generally increase as we continue to develop new products, although they may decrease as a percentage of revenue.

Other expense (net).     Other expense (net) consists of interest expense and change in carrying value of preferred stock warrants, which is offset in part by interest income. Interest expense consists of interest on debt and amortization of the fair value of our preferred stock warrants issued as part of debt financing transactions. For the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, interest expense was $1.3 million and $823,000, respectively. We intend to repay our outstanding indebtedness with a portion of the proceeds of this offering. The remaining unamortized debt discount associated with the preferred stock warrants issued as part of debt financing transactions will be expensed on the repayment of the debt. Consequently, we do not expect to incur significant amounts of interest expense after the closing of this offering.

The change in carrying value of preferred stock warrants is associated with the value of warrants classified as liabilities. These warrants will be converted into common stock warrants in connection with this offering. We will no longer incur this non-cash gain or loss following the conversion of these warrants to common stock warrants. Additional information on our accounting for change in carrying value of preferred stock warrants is provided in “—Critical accounting policies and estimates.”

Provision for income tax.     We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method whereby the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book value and the tax basis of assets and liabilities are recognized as deferred tax assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be recognized. A full valuation allowance is provided as management cannot conclude that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized. At December 31, 2006, we had $38.8 million in net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”). We believe that past issuances and transfers of our stock caused an ownership change in fiscal 2004 that may affect the timing of the use of our NOLs, but we do not believe the ownership change materially affects the use of the full amount of the NOLs. As a result, our ability to use our NOLs attributable to the period prior to such ownership change to offset taxable income will be subject to limitations in a particular year, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability for us.

Stock-based compensation.     Because the majority of our stock-based compensation relates to administrative personnel, we account for our stock-based compensation as a general and administrative expense. For the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, our stock-based compensation expense was $62,000 and $250,000, respectively. We expect stock-based compensation to increase as a result of recent additions to our senior management team.


 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth our statements of operations for the periods indicated:

 

    

Year ended

December 31,

    Nine months ended
September 30,
 
       2004     2005     2006     2006     2007  
                       (unaudited)  
     (in millions)  
                          

Revenue

   $16.0     $16.3     $20.8     $14.7     $24.6  

Cost of goods sold

   14.8     18.5     18.9     13.9     16.3  
                              

Gross profit (loss)

   1.2     (2.2 )   1.9     0.8     8.3  
                              

Operating expenses:

          

General and administrative

   3.0     4.7     3.3     2.6     3.6  

Sales and marketing

   1.6     1.2     1.1     0.9     0.5  

Research and development

   0.9     0.9     0.7     0.5     0.5  

Asset impairment

           0.9          

Loss on disposal of assets

       0.4         0.1     0.1  
                              

Total operating expenses

   5.5     7.2     6.0     4.1     4.7  
                              

Profit (loss) from operations

   (4.3 )   (9.4 )   (4.1 )   (3.3 )   3.6  

Other income (expense)

   (1.1 )   (2.7 )   (3.3 )   (1.9 )   (4.4 )
                              

Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

  

(5.4


)

 

(12.1


)

  (7.4
)
  (5.2
)
  (0.8
)

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

           (0.2 )   (0.2 )    
                              

Net loss

   ($5.4 )   ($12.1 )   ($7.6 )   ($5.4 )   ($0.8 )
                              
The following table sets forth our statements of operations as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:   
     Year ended
December 31,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 
       2004     2005     2006     2006     2007  
                       (unaudited)  
     (percentage of total)  
                          

Revenue

   100 %   100 %   100 %   100 %   100 %

Cost of goods sold

   92     113     91     95     66  
                              

Gross profit (loss)

   8     (13 )   9     5     34  
                              

Operating expenses:

          

General and administrative

   19     29     16     18     15  

Sales and marketing

   10     7     5     6     2  

Research and development

   6     6     4     3     2  

Asset impairment

           4          

Loss on disposal of assets

       2         1      
                              

Total operating expenses

   35     44     29     28     19  
                              

Profit (loss) from operations

   (27 )   (57 )   (20 )   (23 )   15  

Other income (expense)

   (7 )   (17 )   (16 )   (13 )   (18 )
                              

Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   (34 )   (74
)
  (36
)
  (36
)
  (3 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

           (1 )   (1 )    
                              

Net loss

   (34 )%   (74 )%   (37 )%   (37 )%   (3 )%
                              

 

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Comparison of nine months ended September 30, 2006 to nine months ended September 30, 2007

Revenue.     Revenue was $14.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and $24.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, an increase of $9.9 million, or 67%. Revenue increased across all product lines. Our revenue increase was primarily attributable to an increase in shipments of two and three inch sapphire core and as-cut products resulting in additional revenue of $4.3 million, initial volume deliveries for four inch sapphire products of $2.4 million, the effect of price increases beginning in the first quarter of 2007, totaling $377,000 and an increase in sales of six inch products to the SOS RFIC market of $3.1 million. In 2007, our polished product revenue declined by $1.3 million due to our strategic decision to exit the two inch polished wafer business in the second quarter of 2006. We also achieved higher revenue of $735,000 from optical products due to increased sales of sapphire and fluorides for military, aerospace, sensor and other applications.

Gross profit.     Gross profit was $788,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and $8.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, an increase of approximately $7.5 million. This increase in gross profit represented an improvement of gross margins from 5% to 34%. The increase in gross profit in 2007 compared to 2006 was primarily due to a shift to higher margin products including sapphire cores and larger diameter sapphire products, our exit from the two inch polished wafer business on which we realized a negative gross margin, improved operating leverage from higher throughput, increased production yields and lower scrap costs.

General and administrative expenses.     G&A expenses were $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, an increase of $958,000. The increase was primarily due to $441,000 from higher bonus costs, $192,000 of additional stock-based compensation, $177,000 from higher legal costs, $89,000 from higher board expenses, $66,000 primarily from higher recruiting costs associated with a search for our chief financial officer and $65,000 from higher financing fees associated with debt refinancing. These costs were partially offset by lower finance and human resource staff expenses of $72,000 and lower bad debt expense of $57,000.

Sales and marketing expenses.     Sales and marketing expenses were $889,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and $492,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $397,000. The decrease in selling expenses, even as revenue increased, is attributable to the elimination in 2006 of our Japan sales office, shipment of fewer samples and tighter control of other selling expenses.

Research and development expenses.     R&D expenses were $519,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and $553,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. In both years, similar amounts of R&D resources were focused on several R&D projects, especially developing larger diameter products.

Other income (expense).     Other income (expense) was $(1.9) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and $(4.4) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, an increase of approximately $2.5 million. The increase was primarily due to the change in carrying value of preferred stock warrants of $2.7 million. Interest expense was slightly lower during the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 as a result of the refinancing of our debt facility at a lower interest rate.

Comparison of years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006

Revenue.     Revenue was $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 and $20.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, an increase of $4.5 million, or 28%. Revenue increased across all


 

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product lines except for polished wafers. Our revenue increase was primarily attributable to increased sales volumes of two and three inch sapphire products resulting in additional revenues of $9.7 million, which was partially offset by the effect of $4.2 million in price decreases that began in 2005 and continued through the third quarter of 2006 due to increased market competition. In 2006, our polished product revenue declined by $3.4 million due to our strategic decision to exit the two inch polished wafer business in the second quarter of 2006. As we exited this business, we realized much higher sales volumes of non-polished products in the second half of 2006 as we stopped competing with our LED polishing customers. Revenue also increased by $1.5 million in 2006 compared to 2005 as we began to provide large diameter (six inch) as-ground wafers to the SOS RFIC market and by $530,000 as we started deliveries of four inch sapphire products in 2006. We also achieved higher revenue from optical products due to continuing acceptance of sapphire and fluorides for military, aerospace, sensor and other applications.

Gross profit (loss).     Gross profit (loss) was $(2.2) million for the year ended December 31, 2005 and $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, an increase of $4.1 million. This increase in gross profit represented an improvement of gross margins from (13%) to 9%. The increase in gross profit in 2006 compared to 2005 was primarily due to an increase in units sold and a shift to higher margin products including sapphire cores and larger diameter sapphire products, our exit from the two inch polished wafer business on which we realized a negative gross margin, improved operating leverage from higher throughput, increased production yields and lower scrap costs.

General and administrative expenses.     G&A expenses were $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 and $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, a decrease of $1.4 million. The decrease was primarily due to cost savings of $293,000 from lower information technology and human resource headcount, $235,000 from lower bad debt expense and $160,000 from lower business insurance and legal costs, as well as the absence of restructuring costs of $627,000, information technology and executive consulting costs of $322,000 and recruiting expenses of $222,000 incurred in 2005 but not in 2006. These factors were partially offset by higher bonus expenses of $602,000.

Sales and marketing expenses.     Sales and marketing expenses were $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 and $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, a decrease of $204,000. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses, even as revenue increased, is attributable to the elimination of our Japan sales office and tighter control of other selling expenses.

Research and development expenses.     R&D expenses were $861,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005 and $679,000 for the year ended December 31, 2006, a decrease of $182,000. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in materials used for product development and for qualification of polished products for the LED market.

Asset impairment.     We recorded an asset impairment charge of $933,000 in 2006 associated with our exit from the two inch polished wafer business during the second quarter of 2006.

Other income (expense).     Other income (expense) was $(2.7) million for the year ended December 31, 2005 and $(3.3) million for the year ended December 31, 2006, an increase of $537,000. The increase was primarily due to a change in carrying value of preferred stock warrants of $(2.0) million, offset in part by lower interest expense of $1.3 million in 2006, compared to $2.7 million in 2005, on lower average debt and capital lease balances.


 

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Comparison of years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005

Revenue.     Revenue was $16.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 and $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of $272,000, or 2%. From 2004 to 2005, we had an increase in revenue from higher volume sales of two inch polished products of $2.4 million and higher volume sales of sapphire core of $420,000, which was partially offset by lower volume sales of as-cut and as-ground products of $1.5 million. Although the volume of our polished product sales increased, we experienced a decline in pricing for all our products throughout 2005, resulting in a decrease of revenue by $1.8 million. Revenue from optical products increased in 2005 by $530,000 due to increased market acceptance of sapphire and fluorides in optical applications.

Gross profit (loss).     Gross profit was $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to a gross loss of $(2.2) million for the year ended December 31, 2005, a decrease of $3.4 million. This decrease in gross profit represented a decline in gross margin from 8% to (13%). The decrease in gross profit was primarily due to higher volumes and lower prices on two inch polished wafers on which we realized a negative gross margin and higher fixed costs for equipment depreciation and rent.

General and administrative expenses.     G&A expenses were $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 and $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of $1.7 million. The increase was primarily due to $650,000 from higher severance payments, $335,000 from higher information technology and executive consulting costs, $253,000 from higher recruiting expenses, $202,000 from higher bad debt expense, $187,000 from higher business insurance and legal fees, as well as the payment of $161,000 in retention bonuses in 2005. A significant portion of these increased costs were related to building our administrative infrastructure in anticipation of higher revenue growth.

Sales and marketing expenses.     Sales and marketing expenses were $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 and $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, a decrease of $320,000. This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in salary and related sales offices expenses from a reduction of our sales force in Japan.

Research and development expenses.     R&D expenses were $922,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004 and $861,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005. In both years, similar amounts of R&D resources were focused on developing polishing processes as well as fulfilling other R&D projects.

Other income (expense).     Other income (expense) was $(1.1) million for the year ended December 31, 2004 and $(2.7) million for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase of $1.7 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase in average debt balances leading to an interest expense increase of $1.6 million in 2005.


 

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Quarterly results of operations

The following table sets forth our selected unaudited quarterly statement of operations data for each of the last seven fiscal quarters. The financial statements for each of these quarters have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations for these periods. You should read this information together with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. These quarterly operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results of any future period.

 

         Three months ended  
         March 31,
2006
    June 30,
2006
    September 30,
2006
    December 31,
2006
    March 31,
2007
    June 30,
2007
    September 30,
2007
 
        
         (in thousands)  

Revenue

     $4,428     $4,522     $5,748     $6,054     $7,202     $8,246     $9,117  

Cost of goods sold

     4,715     4,223     4,972     4,974     5,056     5,411     5,769  
                                            

Gross profit (loss)

     ($287 )   $299     $776     $1,080     $2,146     $2,835     $3,348  
                                            

Gross profit (loss) as a percentage of revenue

     (6.5 )%   6.6 %   13.5 %   17.8 %   29.8 %   34.4 %   36.7 %

Profit (loss) from operations

     ($1,832 )   ($1,017 )   ($426 )   ($872 )   $915     $951     $1,701  

Profit (loss) from operations as a percentage of revenue

     (41.4 )%   (22.5 )%   (7.4 )%   (14.4 )%   12.7 %   11.5 %   18.7 %

Net profit (loss)

     ($2,403 )   ($1,900 )   ($1,092 )   ($2,246 )   $283     $232     ($1,328 )

Net profit (loss) as a percentage of revenue

     (54.3 )%   (42.0 )%   (19.0 )%   (37.1 )%   3.9 %   2.8 %   (14.6 )%

Our revenue has increased sequentially over the past seven quarters as the market demand for our products has increased. In addition, in 2006 we made the strategic decision to exit the two inch polished wafer business. By exiting this market, we were able to expand our product offerings to our customers. Demand for our products increased significantly in the quarter ended September 30, 2006, when we realized a 27% sequential increase in revenue. Sequential revenue growth slowed during the quarter ended December 31, 2006 to 5%, largely due to our low inventory levels resulting from the strong third quarter demand. Sequential revenue growth in the quarters ended March 31, 2007, June 30, 2007 and September 30, 2007 was 19%, 14% and 11%, respectively.

Over the past seven quarters, our gross margin has also improved, growing from (6.5)% in the quarter ended March 31, 2006 to 36.7% in the quarter ended September 30, 2007. This improvement in gross margin is due to improved manufacturing and purchasing efficiencies, economies of scale related to higher unit volumes, a shift in product mix to larger diameters and the exit from the lower margin two inch polished wafer business.

Revenue growth, along with the operating efficiencies and management of operating expenses, has resulted in improvement in operating margin, which has increased from (41.4)% in the quarter ended March 31, 2006 to 18.7% in the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

Our quarterly results of operations have varied in the past and are likely to do so again in the future. As such, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. In future periods, the market price of our common stock could decline if our revenue and results of operations are below the expectations of analysts or investors.


 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We have funded our operations using a combination of issuances of common stock and preferred stock, a working capital line of credit and term loans and cash generated from our operations. Since our inception, we have raised approximately $56.0 million of equity from the issuance of common and preferred stock.

As of September 30, 2007, we had cash of $1.2 million held in deposits at a major bank, $5.1 million outstanding under our term loan and $1.0 million outstanding under our line of credit. As of September 30, 2007, we had $3.0 million available on our line of credit and $6.9 million available on our term facility.

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash used by operating activities was $551,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. During such period, we generated a net loss of $5.4 million and had non-cash charges of $3.8 million, including depreciation expense of $2.3 million, change in carrying value of preferred stock warrants of $1.1 million and interest expense related to debt accretion of $272,000. We also experienced a decrease in in-stock inventory of $1.3 million as inventory was used to meet customer demand. We experienced an increase in accrued payroll of $448,000 due to timing of the payroll cycle and higher performance based bonus accrual. Also, we experienced an increase in accounts receivable of $796,000 as revenue increased.

Cash provided by operating activities was $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. During such period, we generated a net loss of $813,000 and we incurred non-cash charges of $6.7 million, including depreciation expense of $2.5 million, change in carrying value of preferred stock warrant expense of $3.6 million, stock-based compensation expense of $250,000, net loss on disposal of equipment of $139,000 and interest expense related to debt accretion of $253,000. We experienced an increase in accounts receivable of $1.2 million on increased sales, and an increase in accounts payable of $1.6 million and an increase in inventory and spare parts of $1.5 million, due to increased production. We also experienced an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $1.6 million due to costs incurred for this offering and an increase in deferred revenue of $833,000 due to revenue deferral on a research and development project. The $4.6 million increase in cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006, is primarily attributable to a net loss of $813,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to a net loss of $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as sales volume and pricing increased and our production costs declined. As sales increased in 2007, we experienced increases in accounts receivable and inventory partially offset by increases in accounts payable in order to meet the rising customer demands.

Cash provided by operating activities was $659,000 for the year ended December 31, 2006. During such period, we generated a net loss of $(7.6) million, offset primarily by non-cash charges of $6.7 million, including depreciation expense of $3.1 million, change in carrying value of preferred stock warrant of $2.2 million, interest expense related to debt accretion of $352,000 and asset impairment of $933,000. With our exit from the two inch polished wafer business during the second quarter of 2006, we recorded an asset impairment charge to write-down to estimated fair market value certain polishing fixed assets that will no longer be used. Inventory decreased by $1.4 million as inventory added in 2005 was used to meet demand. We experienced an increase in accounts receivable of $829,000 as revenue increased in 2006 compared to 2005. Further, accounts payable increased by $661,000 as additional purchases of consumables were made to support increased production.


 

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Cash used in operating activities was $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. During such period, we generated a net loss of $12.1 million and had non-cash charges of $5.2 million, including depreciation expense of $3.1 million, loss on disposal of assets of $383,000, amortization of financing costs of $225,000 and non-cash interest expense related to warrants issued with debt of $1.5 million. Inventory levels increased by $1.6 million and accounts receivable decreased by $466,000 as fourth quarter sales slowed. In addition, accounts payable decreased by $1.2 million as capital expenditures projects slowed and production consumables purchases slowed. The $10.1 million increase in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to the year ended December 31, 2005 is primarily due to a decrease in net loss as we exited the two inch polished wafer business in 2006. Further, 2006 sales included inventory that was added in 2005, and our accounts payable decreased in 2005 as production slowed and capital expenditures were significantly reduced.

Cash used in operating activities was $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. During such period, we generated a net loss of $5.4 million which was primarily offset by non-cash charges of $2.4 million, including depreciation charges of $2.0 million and amortization of financing costs of $371,000. We experienced an increase of accounts payable of $881,000 primarily due to timing of receipts of goods and services and payments. Also, we experienced an increase in accounts receivable of $835,000 and an inventory decrease of $827,000, as sales increased in 2004 compared to 2003. The $7.3 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to the year ended December 31, 2004 is primarily due to an increase in net loss primarily due to higher volumes and lower prices on two inch polished wafers, on which we earned a negative gross margin, and higher fixed costs for equipment depreciation and rent. Also, in 2005, accounts payable for consumable and capital expenditures were significantly reduced and inventory increased.

Cash flows used in investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ending September 30, 2006 and 2007 was $543,000 and $6.7 million, respectively. Capital expenditures were limited in the first nine months of 2006, while during the first nine months of 2007 we purchased components used to construct our crystal growth furnaces, purchased various equipment used to expand our production capacity in support of our sales growth and began infrastructure changes needed to commence operations in our new facility in Bensenville, Illinois.

Net cash used in investing activities was $8.7 million, $4.1 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. In 2004, we used approximately $5.3 million to expand our crystal growth infrastructure and the number of crystal growth furnaces. Also, during 2004, approximately $2.1 million was used for infrastructure and additional equipment needed to expand our polishing capacity. In 2005, we used approximately $1.7 million to construct crystal growth furnaces and approximately $2.4 million to increase polishing and slicing capacity. In 2006, we used approximately $1.2 million to add crystal growth furnaces and approximately $1.1 million to upgrade existing capacity in other areas.

For the remainder of 2007, we expect to spend approximately $4.5 million for capital expenditures, primarily to increase our manufacturing infrastructure and capacity. We expect to spend between $12.0 million to $17.0 million per year for each of the next two years on capital expenditures to support our expected sales growth.

Cash flows from financing activities

Net cash from financing activities was $2.9 million and $182,000 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Net cash provided from financing activities for the nine


 

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months ended September 30, 2006 reflects the net proceeds of $4.1 million received from the sale of our Series E preferred stock, which was offset partially by the net repayment of borrowings of $1.2 million. Net cash provided from financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 reflects net proceeds from debt refinancing of $176,000.

Net cash provided from financing activities was $12.5 million, $11.1 million and $3.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. Net cash provided from financing activities for 2004 reflects proceeds of $12.1 million received from the sale of shares of our Series C preferred stock and net borrowings of $287,000. Net cash provided from financing activities for 2005 reflects proceeds of $4.9 million received from the sale of shares of our Series D preferred stock and Series E preferred stock, as well as short-term borrowings from investors of $7.5 million, which were converted into additional shares of our Series D preferred stock and Series E preferred stock. These amounts were partially offset by the net repayment of borrowings of $1.4 million. Net cash provided from financing activities for 2006 reflects proceeds received from the sale of our Series E preferred stock of $5.6 million, offset by the net repayment of borrowings of $1.6 million.

Future liquidity requirements

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, anticipated cash flows from operating activities and the net proceeds from this offering will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months. These cash needs include cash required to fund our operations, taking into account anticipated increases in operating expenses and our planned capital expenditures to support our continued growth. If the assumptions underlying our business plan regarding future revenues and expenses change, or if unexpected opportunities or needs arise, we may seek to raise additional cash by selling equity or convertible debt securities. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders could be significantly diluted, and these newly-issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. If we obtain additional debt financing, a substantial portion of our operating cash flow may be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on such indebtedness, and the terms of the debt securities issued could impose significant restrictions on our operations. If we are unable to obtain financing on terms favorable to us, we may be unable to successfully execute our business plan.

Credit facilities

In April 2007, we entered into a three-year, $12.0 million term loan and a one-year, $4.0 million accounts receivable and inventory revolving line of credit financing agreement with Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. These loans are collateralized by all of our assets. The term loan is available for draw through December 31, 2007, subject to extension based on agreed financial metrics. The term loan interest rate is equal to the prime rate plus 3.375% and the line of credit rate is equal to the prime rate plus 0.25%. We intend to repay these facilities in full with a portion of the proceeds of this offering.


 

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Contractual obligations

The contractual obligations presented in the table below represent our estimates of future payments under fixed contractual obligations and commitments at December 31, 2006. Changes in our business needs or interest rates, as well as actions by third parties and other factors, may cause these estimates to change. Because these estimates are complex and necessarily subjective, our actual payments in future periods are likely to vary from those presented in the table. The following table sets forth information relating to our contractual obligations at December 31, 2006:

 

     Payments due in
      

Less than

1 year

   1-3
years
   3-5
years
   More than
5 years
   Total
     (in millions)

Operating lease obligations

   $ 1.0    $ 1.7    $ 1.4    $ 2.1    $ 6.2

Capital lease obligations

     0.3                     0.3

Principal payments on term loan obligations

     2.1      2.6                4.7

Principal payments on line of credit obligations

     1.0                     1.0

Interest payments on term loan obligations (1)

     0.5      0.2                0.7

Interest payments on line of credit obligation (2)

     0.1                     0.1
                                  

Total contractual obligations

   $ 5.0    $ 4.5    $ 1.4    $ 2.1    $ 13.0
                                  

(1)   Interest rates on term loans range from 8.56% to 12.14%.
(2)   Represents estimated interest payments at December 31, 2006, equal to the then-prime rate (8.25%) plus 2.0%.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

During 2004, 2005, 2006 and the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we did not engage in any off-balance sheet arrangements. We do not have any interest in entities referred to as variable interest entities, which includes special purpose entities and other structured finance entities.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk of loss related to changes in market prices, including interest rates, of financial instruments that may adversely impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Foreign currency exchange risk.     To date, substantially all of our international sales have been transacted in US dollars. Accordingly, we have limited exposure to foreign currency exchange rates and do not enter into foreign currency hedging transactions.

Interest rate risk.     At September 30, 2007, we had $1.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our revolving line of credit, which bore interest at a rate of prime plus 0.25%. We also had $5.1 million of borrowings outstanding under our term loan line of credit, which bore interest at a rate of prime plus 3.375%. We do not use interest rate derivatives to limit our interest rate market risk. Increases in the prime interest rate, however, will reduce future earnings. If overall interest rates increased by 10% in 2006, our interest expense would have increased by approximately $17,000.

Inflation.     Our operations have not been, and we do not expect them to be, materially affected by inflation. However, historically, the prices we charge our customers are market driven, and therefore we may not be able to increase our prices to offset any increase in our material or labor costs. Our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.


 

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INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

In connection with the audit of our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, our independent registered public accounting firm identified certain material weaknesses and other control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. A “control deficiency” exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. A “significant deficiency” is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that adversely affects the entity’s ability to initiate, authorize, record, process or report financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles such that there is more than a remote likelihood that a misstatement of the entity’s financial statements that is more than inconsequential will not be prevented or detected by the entity’s internal control. Our auditors defined a “material weakness” as a significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the financial statements will not be prevented or detected by the entity’s internal control.

The material weaknesses identified by our auditors relate to the following:

 

Ø  

Financial reporting and complex accounting transactions.     We do not maintain formal, comprehensive policies and procedures related to our recording of standard, non-standard and recurring journal entries. Furthermore, we do not have adequate processes for properly identifying and recording properly various complex accounting transactions such as warrants, stock options and financing transactions.

 

Ø  

Segregation of duties.     Primarily due to the size of our accounting department, we have not been able to maintain an adequate segregation of duties in key accounting processes. In addition, we have no documented formal accounting policies and procedures that require timely reconciliation and thorough reviews of reconciliations.

 

Ø  

Inventory.     We do not maintain perpetual inventory records and do not have a formal inventory system. In addition, we do not have formal production tracking nor do we maintain an inventory master file.

 

Ø  

Information technology.     Our auditors identified four areas where improvements are needed in our IT controls:

 

   

The duties of some of our employees overlap into conflicting areas. We also do not monitor or review the structure of our IT department relative to the rights and responsibilities of current users of our IT systems.

 

   

We do not have a formal approval process in place to define the objectives of our IT department nor do we conduct any periodic evaluation on the control structure of the department. We do not have formally documented policies or processes in place to assess the risk within our IT organization as well as external threats and risks, for conducting back up procedures to protect critical systems or for dealing with IT access by terminated employees.

 

   

We have no procedures in place for detecting, and testing for, external intrusion into our IT systems.

 

   

We do not periodically review and evaluate our system events logs, activity reports or firewall upgrades or configuration.

In addition, our auditors noted several control deficiencies, which are of a lesser magnitude than the material weaknesses described above. These control deficiencies relate to our historical lack of a code of business conduct, our failure to have a process in place to receive, evaluate and retain complaints from our employees regarding questionable practices and our failure to document the process for reconciling our stock records with third-party records. Our management and auditors were not required to, and did


 

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not, perform an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Had we and our auditors performed such an evaluation, additional material weaknesses and other control deficiencies may have been identified.

We are involved in an ongoing process of planning and implementing changes to strengthen our internal controls and to address the material weaknesses and other control deficiencies identified by our auditors. Specific plans and actions include:

 

Ø  

We hired a chief financial officer on July 31, 2007 and we intend to hire additional financial and accounting personnel. We believe these additions will facilitate an improved segregation of duties as well as allow for additional levels of review and approval of accounting transactions.

 

Ø  

We have identified an automated inventory system that we believe will significantly improve our inventory records and production tracking. We plan to have the new system in place by the end of the first quarter of 2008.

 

Ø  

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics covering a wide range of business practices and procedures. The code, which applies to all of our directors, officers and other employees, is designed to communicate and enforce our ethical standards throughout our company.

 

Ø  

We are implementing procedures whereby employees may submit, on an anonymous basis, complaints regarding questionable business or accounting practices within our company.

 

Ø  

We are taking steps to codify and otherwise formalize various policies and procedures under which we currently operate, as well as to put in place more comprehensive formalized policies and procedures.

 

Ø  

We plan to retain an independent accounting firm to begin the formal process of preparing for our implementation of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

We will need to take additional remediation measures as well. These additional measures, as well as the measures that we have taken or plan to take, as described above, may be insufficient to address the material weaknesses and other control deficiencies identified by our auditors. In addition, other material weaknesses and control deficiencies may be identified in the future. If we fail to remediate these deficiencies, we may fail to meet our future reporting obligations, our financial statements may contain material misstatements and our operating results may be harmed.

Once we become a public company, we will be required to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In this regard, beginning with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2008, we will be required on an annual basis to assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and include a statement as to whether or not our internal control over financial reporting is effective. In addition, beginning with our year ending December 31, 2009, we will be required to have our independent registered public accounting firm issue an attestation report on our assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. In conducting our assessment, we will not be able to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective if we have one or more material weaknesses. If we or our independent registered public accountants conclude that our internal control is not effective, our investors could lose confidence in our financial reports and our stock price could decline. An ineffective internal control environment could also adversely effect our ability to report our financial results in a timely manner and could materially adversely affect our business.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts


 

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reported in our financial statements and the accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on our present best knowledge of the future impact on the company of current events and actions, actual results may differ from these estimates, assumptions and judgments.

We consider to be critical those accounting policies that require our most subjective or complex judgments, which often result from a need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain, and that are among the most important of our accounting policies in the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations. We believe the following to be our critical accounting policies, including the more significant estimates and assumptions used in preparation of our financial statements.

Revenue recognition.     We recognize revenue from sales of products when:

 

Ø  

Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists.     We require evidence of a purchase order with the customer specifying the terms and specifications of the product to be delivered, typically in the form of a signed quotation or purchase order from the customer.

 

Ø  

Title has passed and the product has been delivered.     Title passage and product delivery generally occurs when the product is delivered to a common carrier.

 

Ø  

The price is fixed or determinable.     All terms are fixed in the signed quotation or purchase order received from the customer. The purchase orders do not contain rights of cancellation, return, exchanges or refunds.

 

Ø  

Collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.     Our standard arrangement with customers includes 30 day payment terms. Customers are subject to a credit review process that evaluates each customer’s financial position and its ability to pay. We determine collectibility by considering the length of time the customer has been in business and our history of collections with that customer. If it is determined that collection is not probable, no product is shipped and no revenue is recognized unless cash is received in advance.

R&D revenue is recognized as services are performed. We execute agreements with our customers that clearly describe the scope of the project, the services we will provide, ownership of any tangible or intangible assets generated as part of the project, and the amount of consideration we will receive.

There are no significant judgments or estimates associated with our revenue recognition policies or processes.

All of our revenue is denominated in United States dollars.

Inventory valuation.     We value our inventory at the lower of cost or market. Market is determined based on net realizable value. Cost is determined for raw materials on a first-in, first-out basis and work in process and finished goods are based on actual costs. We establish inventory reserves when conditions exist that suggest inventory may be in excess of anticipated demand or is obsolete based on customer required specifications. We evaluate the ability to realize the value of our inventory based on a combination of factors, including forecasted sales, estimated current and future market value and changes in customer’s product specifications. Recoveries of previously written-down inventory are recognized only when the related inventory is sold and revenue has been recognized. Based on current demand and pricing of our products, we believe that it is unlikely that significant adjustments for inventory obsolescence will occur. Our method of estimating excess and obsolete inventory has remained consistent for all periods presented. However, if our recognition of excess or obsolete inventory is, or if


 

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our estimates of our inventory’s potential utility become, less favorable than currently expected, additional inventory reserves may be required.

Allowance for doubtful accounts.     We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts based on an assessment of the collectibility of specific customer accounts. The determination of risk for collection is assessed on a customer-by-customer basis considering our historical experience and future orders with the customer, changes in payment patterns, and recent information we have about the current status of our accounts receivable balances. If we determine that a specific customer is a risk for collection, we provide a specific allowance for credit losses to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. We believe that based on the customers to whom we sell and the nature of our agreements with them, our estimates are reasonable. Our method of estimating collectibility has remained consistent for all periods presented and with past collections experience. We believe that it is unlikely that significant adjustments to allowances for doubtful accounts will be necessary.

Stock-based compensation.     Effective January 1, 2006 we adopted SFAS 123R which amends SFAS 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), and requires us to expense stock options based upon the fair market value on the date of grant. We adopted SFAS 123R using the prospective method. Under this transition method, the provisions of SFAS 123R are applied to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after January 1, 2006. We selected the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model will be affected by assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include our expected stock volatility over the term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, risk-free interest rates, forfeitures and expected dividends.

The expected term represents the weighted-average period that our stock options are expected to be outstanding and is based upon the vesting term of our options, a review of a peer group of companies, and expected exercise behavior. As we have been operating as a private company since inception, we are unable to use our actual price volatility data. Therefore, we estimate the volatility of our common stock based on volatility of similar entities over the expected term of our stock options. We base the risk-free interest rate that we use in the option pricing model on US Treasury zero-coupon issues with remaining terms similar to the expected term on the options. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and, therefore, use an expected dividend yield of zero in the option pricing model. We are required to estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The current forfeiture rate of 25% was based on our past history of pre-vesting forfeitures.

We had a choice of two attribution methods for allocating compensation costs under SFAS 123R, the “straight-line method”, which allocates expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the last separately vesting portion of an award, or the “graded vesting attribution method”, which allocates expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in substance, multiple awards. We chose the former method and amortized the fair value of each option on a straight-line basis over the service period.

Based on the variables affecting the valuation of our common stock and the method used for allocating compensation costs, we recognized $62,000 in stock compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2006.

With respect to each option grant date for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, we determined the deemed fair value of our common stock. As there was no public market for our common


 

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stock during these periods, this determination was necessarily subjective. In making this determination, we considered a number of factors, including:

 

Ø  

the issuance price of our series of preferred shares to third parties;

 

Ø  

the liquidation preference and other rights of the preferred shares; and

 

Ø  

the fact that the option grants involved illiquid securities of a private company.

For options granted in 2006 and the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the board of directors set the exercise price for options granted based upon estimates of fair value. In preparing for this offering, the board of directors determined that the original methodology applied did not fully comply with the requirements in the AICPA’s Practice Aid “Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation”, which we refer to as the practice aid. Revised valuations were prepared which yielded lower fair values for our common stock. See “Valuation methodologies employed” below for further disclosure of the valuation methodology used in determining fair value per share for financial reporting purposes. Therefore, for financial reporting purposes, we determined that it was appropriate to use $0.39 per share for options granted between January and July 2006, $0.26 per share for options granted between August and October 2006 and $5.25 for options granted in June and August 2007 as the fair value of our common stock within the Black-Scholes option pricing model consistent with the revised valuation.

The following table sets forth option grants made during 2006 and the first nine months of 2007, with the intrinsic value calculated based on grant date fair value.

 

Date of Grant    Number of
options
granted
   Exercise
price
   Fair value
estimate
per share
   Intrinsic
value
per share (1)

January 2006

   471,022    $ 0.91    $ 0.39   

February 2006

   47,102      0.78      0.39   

April 2006

   23,551      0.78      0.39   

July 2006

   365,782      0.78      0.39   

August 2006

   1,538      0.78      0.26   

September 2006

   1,538      0.78      0.26   

October 2006

   1,923      0.78      0.26   

June 2007

   251,635      8.45      5.25   

August 2007

   198,040      8.45      5.25   

(1)   The financial reporting intrinsic value per share is the difference between the subsequently reassessed fair value per share for financial statement reporting purposes and the exercise price per share as established on each applicable stock option grant date by our compensation committee and board of directors as described above. There is no intrinsic value because the exercise price per share of each option exceeded the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant.

Valuation methodologies employed. The valuation methodologies we employed in connection with these option grants were based on various generally accepted valuation methods. Specifically, at each reporting date we analyzed the value of the company, or the business enterprise value, using market and income approaches, and then allocated the business enterprise value using contingent claims analysis, an application of option pricing theory. The allocation of the business enterprise value to convertible preferred stock, common stock, warrants and stock options at September 30, 2007, June 30, 2007 and March 31, 2007 used option pricing theory and considered the probability of an initial public offering. The allocation of the business enterprise value for all periods in the year ended December 31, 2006 was determined based on our remaining private, as an initial public offering was not anticipated at that time.

 


 

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In determining the business enterprise value at September 30, 2007, June 30, 2007 and March 31, 2007, and each quarterly reporting date in the year ended December 31, 2006, we used both market and income value approaches. The market approach used both comparable company and transaction valuation methods. The comparable company market approach used revenue multiples observed in active securities markets and the transaction method used both revenue and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) multiples observed in the mergers and acquisitions market. The income approach determines a business enterprise value using the discounted present value of projected cash flow streams.

The final business enterprise value determined using the market and income approaches was then adjusted for appropriate marketability discounts. These marketability discounts were reduced at each reporting date, beginning with the December 31, 2006 reporting date, to reflect the increased probability of the initial public offering.

The allocation of the business enterprise value to each class of preferred stock and common stock was determined using contingent claims analysis, which is based on the principles of option pricing theory. Specifically, each class of security is modeled as a call option with a unique claim on our assets. The resulting claims allocate the anticipated proceeds between the different securities upon a liquidity event, which in our case, is the anticipated initial public offering. In modeling each security as a call option, we used the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

Determining the fair value of our convertible preferred stock, common stock, warrants and stock options involves complex and subjective judgments involving estimates of revenue, earnings, assumed market growth rates and estimated costs, as well as appropriate discount rates. At the time of each valuation, the significant estimates used in the income approach (discounted cash flow model) included estimates of our revenue and revenue growth rates for several years into the future. Although each time we prepared such forecasts in the preparation of a valuation report, we did so based on assumptions that we believed to be reasonable and appropriate, there can be no assurance that any such estimates for earlier periods have come to pass or that any such estimates for future periods will prove to be accurate.

The most significant factors contributing to the difference between the fair value of the shares of our common stock subject to our 2007 stock option grants and the estimated initial public offering price are the increase in probability of the completion of an initial public offering of our common stock and positive changes in market conditions. Due to our history of operating losses prior to 2007, including negative gross profit in 2005, our ability to achieve our estimated initial public offering price is highly contingent on achieving current strong operating results. Achieving strong operating results in the quarter ended September 30, 2007 and through completion of this offering will help validate our financial projections for subsequent periods and result in our ability to obtain the estimated initial public offering price.

The aggregate intrinsic value of all stock options outstanding at September 30, 2007 is $13,101,771, based on the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range.

Convertible preferred stock warrant liability.     Beginning January 1, 2006, we began accounting for warrants to purchase our preferred stock issued in connection with financing agreements in accordance with FASB Staff Position (FSP) 150-5, “Accounting Under SFAS 150 for Freestanding Warrants and Other Similar Instruments on Redeemable Shares” (“FSP 150-5”). Pursuant to FSP 150-5, we evaluate certain specifically identified conditions to determine whether the fair value of these warrants is required to be classified as a liability. The fair value of the warrants that are classified as liabilities are adjusted for changes in fair value at each reporting period, and the corresponding non-cash gain or loss is recorded in


 

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current period earnings. We estimated the fair market value of these warrants at the respective balance sheet dates using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, based on the estimated market value of the underlying preferred stock at the measurement date, the remaining contractual term of the warrant, risk-free interest rates and expected dividends on and expected volatility of the price of the underlying preferred stock. These estimates, especially the market value of the underlying preferred stock and the expected volatility, are highly judgmental. The assumptions used in our Black-Scholes option pricing model for Series E, C, B, B-2 and A warrants at January 1, 2006 upon the adoption of FSP 150-5 were: (i) remaining contractual terms of 2.1 to 9.9 years; (ii) risk-free interest rate of 4.82% to 4.86%; (iii) expected volatility of 50% to 79%, and (iv) no expected dividend yield. The assumptions used in our Black-Scholes option pricing model for Series E, C, B, B-2 and A warrants at December 31, 2006 were: (i) remaining contractual terms of 1.3 to 9.1 years; (ii) risk-free interest rates of 4.70% to 5%; (iii) expected volatility of 47% to 76% and (iv) no expected dividend yield. In each case, the fair value of the underlying preferred stock was assessed primarily by a valuation prepared by management using the practice aid.

Upon the closing of this offering, outstanding warrants to purchase our preferred stock will become warrants to purchase shares of our common stock and certain of these warrants to purchase our preferred stock are expected to be net exercised. As a result, upon the conversion of the preferred stock warrants to common stock warrants, the warrants will no longer be subject to FSP 150-5. The then-current aggregate fair value of these warrants will be reclassified from liabilities to additional paid-in-capital, a component of stockholders’ equity, and we will cease to record any related periodic fair value adjustments.

Redeemable convertible preferred stock.     We have issued various classes of preferred stock. The holders of Series A, B, B-2, C, C-2, D, D-2 and E preferred stock have the option to sell their shares back to us at the greater of the original purchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends or the current fair market value of the shares plus accrued and unpaid dividends. As a result, the carrying value of the preferred stock has been increased by an accretion amount each period so that the carrying amounts will equal the greater of fair value plus accrued and unpaid dividends or original purchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The accreted amounts are recorded to accumulated deficit. The option to sell and the related accretion of the preferred shares terminate upon the closing of this offering.

The fair value of our preferred stock was determined based upon the sales price of our preferred stock to third-party investors, and in 2006 and 2007, when transactions in our preferred stock were not available, based upon valuations prepared by management using the methodology set forth in the practice aid. This methodology considered the probability and fair value of the sale of stock in an initial public offering. The valuation methodologies we used to estimate the fair value of our preferred stock have been applied consistently for all periods presented and the assumptions used were based on the best available information at that time. Accordingly, we do not believe that adjustments to amounts recorded in respect of our redeemable convertible preferred stock will be required.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In July 2006, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standards Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition and measurement method for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transitions. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We adopted this interpretation on January 1, 2007 and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.


 

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In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We have not yet determined the effect that the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on our results of operations or financial position.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to measure at fair value many financial instruments and certain other items on an instrument-by-instrument basis that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We have not yet determined the effect that the adoption of SFAS 159 will have on our results of operations or financial position.


 

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Business

OVERVIEW

We are an advanced electronic materials provider that develops, manufactures and sells monocrystalline sapphire and other innovative crystalline products for LEDs, RFICs, blue laser diodes, optoelectronics and other optical applications. The emergence of sapphire in commercial volumes at competitive prices has enabled the development of new technologies such as high brightness (“HB”) white, blue and green LEDs and highly-integrated RFICs. We apply our proprietary crystal growth technology to produce high-quality sapphire products efficiently to supply a large and growing end-market demand, and we work closely with our customers to meet their quality and delivery needs. We believe we are the leading supplier of sapphire products to the LED industry.

We are a vertically integrated manufacturer of high-quality sapphire substrates and optical windows that are used in a variety of high-growth, high-volume end-market applications. Our largest product line is two to four inch sapphire wafers for use in LEDs and blue laser diodes for solid state lighting and electronic applications. In addition, we have developed six inch sapphire wafers that are used for SOS RFICs, as well as products for military, aerospace, sensor and other applications. We are also extending our technology to manufacture eight inch and larger diameter products to support next-generation LED, RFIC and optical window applications.

Our fully integrated in-house capabilities enable us to design, assemble and maintain proprietary crystal growth furnaces to grow high purity, low-stress, ultra low defect density sapphire crystals. In addition, we possess state-of-the-art capabilities in high precision core drilling, wafer slicing, surface lapping, edge bevel grinding and wafer cleaning processes. We foster a strong sense of innovation and agility in our product development teams in an attempt to develop new products more effectively and to rapidly capture market growth.

The strong and increasing demand for our products has led us to expand our production capabilities. We plan to leverage our technological advantage in efficiently producing high-quality, large-diameter sapphire products to maintain our leadership position and capitalize on future growth opportunities. To attain this goal, we are accelerating our research and development activities, continuing to enhance our operational capabilities, increasing our brand recognition and diversifying into new market segments.

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices have traditionally been fabricated on silicon substrates. However, for certain advanced applications, new electronic materials have emerged as the substrates of choice due to evolving integration and performance considerations. For example, sapphire is the preferred substrate material for HB white, blue and green LED applications due to its crystal lattice compatibility with the aluminum gallium nitride (“AlGaN”) epitaxial layers, thermal expansion properties, commercial availability and cost efficiency. Other sapphire applications include Silicon-on-Sapphire integrated circuits, optical lenses and windows, and substrates for blue laser diodes.


 

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LOGO

Figure 1: Typical LED structure

LED applications

Advancements in solid state lighting utilizing HB white, blue and green LEDs over the past decade represent a disruptive technology in the lighting industry, providing significant performance, environmental and economic improvements compared to traditional incandescent or fluorescent lighting. For example, traditional incandescent lamps are inefficient and costly, emitting over 90% of consumed power as heat and lasting only 1,500 to 2,000 hours. Fluorescent lamps produce light by passing electricity through toxic mercury vapor, which creates an environmental disposal problem. LEDs do not contain mercury or lead and are 4.0 to 6.6 times as efficient as traditional incandescent lamps, while providing 35,000 to 50,000 hours of light. These factors, along with their durability, small form factor, excellent color performance, and decreasing costs, have led to a rapidly growing demand for LEDs in applications such as small displays for mobile devices, flashes for digital cameras, backlighting units (“BLUs”) for displays used in notebook computers, desktop monitors, LCD televisions, public display signs, automotive lights, traffic signals, and general and specialty lighting. Applications using LEDs have unit volumes in the billions and are expected to grow significantly. For instance, in the next four years, HB LED sales are expected to double according to Strategies Unlimited, an independent market research firm, based in Mountain View, California. The production volume of HB LEDs is expected to increase from 37.1 billion units in 2007 to 87.1 billion units in 2011. Further, the percentage of GaN-based LEDs, which predominantly use sapphire substrates, is expected to rise from 64.0% to 66.9% of the total HB LED production volume in the same time period. Therefore, as the HB LED market grows, we believe the sapphire substrate market will grow as well.

Mobile devices.     LEDs are used in color displays for mobile phones and other portable electronics such as GPS systems, MP3 players and digital camera flashes. According to Strategies Unlimited, the full color display penetration in mobile phones was 84% in 2005 and is expected to approach 100% over the next several years. According to a March 2007 report published by Gartner, in 2006, the number of manufactured mobile phones was approximately 997 million worldwide. LEDs are well-suited for mobile devices due to their low current drain which extend battery life and durability while generating less heat.

LED backlighting units for large displays.     LED BLUs are beginning to replace conventional fluorescent BLUs in notebook computers, desktop monitors and LCD flat panel televisions. Benefits of LED BLUs in these applications are extended battery life, thinner displays, quicker response time and better color rendition. Displays made with LED BLUs also have no toxic materials, which help electronics manufacturers to comply with environmental regulations. DisplayBank, an independent market research


 

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firm, estimates an increase in LED penetration in larger (greater than 10 inch) BLUs from 1% in 2007 to 14% by 2010. The backlight market for large-size LCD screens is estimated to grow by greater than 20% per year, approaching 500 million units by 2010, as forecasted by DisplayBank.

Automotive lighting.     Automobile manufacturers are increasingly using LEDs in car and truck headlights, turning and tail light functions as well as interior lighting. Benefits include near-instant response time, reduced power usage and more stylish and effective designs. Uses for LEDs in all automotive applications (exterior and interior) are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) of approximately 14% from 2005 to 2010, according to a report published in June 2006 by market research firm Strategies Unlimited. Increased LED usage in other transportation vehicles such as motorcycles and commercial jets offers additional growth potential.

Commercial signage.     LEDs are becoming more widely used as light sources on large signs and outdoor displays, such as jumbo screens used in sporting arenas and electronic billboard displays. The LED commercial sign/display market will grow at an estimated CAGR of approximately 42% from 2005 to 2010, according to a report published in June 2006 by market research firm Strategies Unlimited.

SOS RFIC and optical applications

SOS integrated circuits consist of a thin layer of silicon grown on a sapphire substrate and are primarily used in advanced wireless and military applications, such as RFICs. In particular, SOS RFICs are currently used in high volumes for mobile phones, broadband television set-top boxes, satellites and radiation-hardened applications for the defense industry. We believe SOS devices also represent a large potential market opportunity for sapphire due to sapphire’s outstanding properties as an insulating substrate material with outstanding thermal conductivity and crystal lattice compatibility with silicon, which, among other things, enables monolithic integration in RFICs.

Sapphire and various fluoride materials are utilized for windows and optics for aerospace, sensor, medical and laser applications. Sapphire is used in these applications due to its wide-band transmission, superior strength, scratch resistance and high strength-to-weight ratio. Sapphire’s physical properties make it very well suited for jet fighter targeting pod windows, forward-looking infrared (“FLIR”) windows for commercial and business jets as well as unmanned air vehicles or drones, rocket domes and transparent armor for military vehicles.

Sapphire substrates are also used in the production of blue laser diodes. Blue laser diode technology allows much higher data storage for HD-DVD applications. Blue laser diodes are just beginning to penetrate potentially high volume applications, such as the Blu-ray Disc DVD players and leading-edge video game systems.

Sapphire substrate industry supply chain

The following diagram illustrates the supply chain from the sapphire material to the end application. Sapphire is the base material that “feeds” the entire value chain.

LOGO

Figure 2: Sapphire substrate industry supply chain


 

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The production process for sapphire substrates is substantially similar to that of silicon wafers. A typical process flow consists of crystal growth, fabrication, slicing, lapping and polishing steps. Output quality is measured in flatness, desired crystal planar orientation, etch pitch density and crystalline structure uniformity. A great emphasis is placed on continuously improving yields and increasing production capacity to drive costs lower to take advantage of emerging high-volume opportunities. Device manufacturers are seeking larger diameter sapphire wafers to allow them to develop higher performance applications and achieve economies of scale. Historical methods of sapphire crystal growth, which rely on lower-volume batch processes, are less able to meet the needs of leading end-market customers for high quality crystals, demanding dimensional tolerances, high production volumes, cost efficiency and on-time delivery.

THE RUBICON SOLUTION

We are an advanced electronic materials provider that develops, manufactures and sells monocrystalline sapphire and other innovative crystalline products for LEDs, RFICs, blue laser diodes, optoelectronics and other optical applications. As a leading producer of sapphire and provider of other crystals, we believe that the following are our principal competitive advantages:

Proprietary technology for crystal growth

We refer to the proprietary technology, equipment and processes we use in the production of our sapphire crystals as “ES2”, which stands for “evolving science, evolving solutions.” Due to our understanding of sapphire crystal growth seeding and crystal growth furnace operational parameters, we have developed a full in-house capability to design, build and maintain ES2 crystal growth furnaces with proprietary features. Our ES2 technology enables us to maintain a highly scaleable, efficient operation and to produce large diameter sapphire wafers that we believe exceed the quality of any other sapphire producer today. Our competitors employ the Kyropoulos, Czochralski (“CZ”), or Edge-defined Film-fed Growth (“EFG”) method to grow sapphire crystals. We believe that our ES2 technology, which employs an enhanced Kyropoulos methodology, significantly outperforms other methods of sapphire production with respect to capital costs, operating costs, throughput, quality and diameter size. Using our ES2 technology, we can currently produce sapphire products with diameters of up to seven inches in production volumes and we are developing the capability to produce eight inch and larger diameter sapphire products.

High quality sapphire products

We believe our sapphire crystal wafers are best-in-class in terms of quality. Our quality advantage is exhibited by our ability to produce crystals with an etch pitch density (“EPD”) of fewer than 100 defects per square centimeter, which is significantly better than the industry standard range. According to Sapphire & Other Corundum Crystals by E. Dobrovinskaya, L. Lytvynov, and V. Pishchik (1994), for sapphire grown using other methods, the standard EPD is 5,000 to 100,000 defects per square centimeter. Our sapphire also has ultra high (99.999%) purity levels. Our high purity sapphire helps our customers realize high yields in their processing. In addition, because of the high purity of our products, our customers have the ability to utilize our sapphire for optical applications requiring high transmission in the ultraviolet through mid-infrared spectral ranges. Through our operational expertise in crystal growth, post-growth processing and in-process manufacturing controls of sapphire wafer production, we are able to meet or exceed our customers’ key product specifications, such as crystalline quality, dimensional tolerances and crystal orientation, while maintaining high production yields.


 

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Vertical integration

We possess critical know-how and proprietary processes and metrology for crystal growth and sapphire processing. We grow sapphire crystals and have extensive capabilities to process sapphire into products that meet our customers’ needs from cores to wafer and window blanks to large diameter epi-polished wafers. In the areas of fabrication and slicing, we employ high volume manufacturing techniques and utilize customized tooling and metrology to hold very tight dimensional and orientation tolerances for sapphire cores and wafers. We also have high precision lapping, edge bevel grinding and annealing capabilities for as ground wafers and window blanks. We have proprietary six and eight inch polishing and ultra-cleaning equipment and processes for SOS RFIC and other applications that demand larger-diameter epi-polished wafers. By vertically integrating our processes, we are able to achieve significant operating efficiencies and produce high-quality, high-precision products that offer cost and quality benefits to our customers. This vertical integration also helps enable us to expand our range of products and helps to protect our technology and manufacturing trade secrets.

High volume and flexible manufacturing capability

We provide a high volume and stable US-based supply of products for our customers. We offer reliable, consistent on-time delivery to our customers through our flexible and scalable production operations. We have developed automated manufacturing and metrology platforms at each stage of our production process that allow us to increase capacity rapidly and to switch products in manufacturing easily so that we can meet our customers’ specific product demands. We continue to expand our production capacity aggressively to meet the large and growing demand for our high-quality sapphire products.

Lowest total cost for customers

We compete on the quality of our products and our service levels to supplement our competitive pricing. We believe our high sustained yields, our dedication to consistent production and performance and our commitment to lasting customer relationships help assure our customers of a reliable source of high-quality sapphire products at stable prices. Our in-process quality control practices lead to predictable customer process yields, reduced inspection costs and overall high customer satisfaction. In addition, we work closely with our customers to understand their product specifications and then align our operations to meet their needs. Through close collaboration with our customers, we help them develop new applications for our advanced sapphire products and establish ourselves as a preferred supplier. As such, we believe our solution offers the lowest total cost for our customers.

STRATEGY

Our goal is to be the leading global provider of advanced monocrystalline substrate and window materials to the solid state lighting, SOS RFIC, aerospace and optical markets. We currently occupy a leading position among sapphire producers worldwide in market volume for two through four inch sapphire products for LEDs. A key element of our strategy is to increase the proportion of our shipments of four and six inch diameter products. The time elapsed from our beginning product development to shipping commercial volumes in the six inch sapphire substrate market was less than one year. As a result, we now have significant market share in the six inch SOS RFIC sapphire substrate market.

Our strategy includes the following key elements:

Extend our technology and manufacturing leadership position

We believe our specialized manufacturing processes and proprietary technology and trade secrets provide us with significant competitive advantages. We have designed and developed product, equipment and


 

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process technology platforms from which we can rapidly increase capacity and stay flexible to meet our customers’ needs. At each phase of our manufacturing process, we have developed and standardized automated equipment that employs similar processes to produce a full range of products. For example, all of our furnaces can grow sapphire crystals of the same size in various orientations to produce two through six inch wafers and cores. This reduces our operating costs and significantly improves our product development cycles. We intend to continue to develop advanced technology platforms to further increase crystal boule size and offer market-leading product specifications, while maintaining product quality and manufacturing efficiencies.

Capitalize on opportunities in high-growth markets

Our sapphire products are used in multiple applications in the high-growth LED and SOS RFIC markets. We also participate in optical market segments where sapphire and fluoride materials are being adopted rapidly in new applications. We intend to continue to expand our opportunities by adding new categories and sizes of products with the goal of providing our customers in multiple high-growth end markets with a robust set of sapphire solutions. For example, one of the largest market segment opportunities is likely to come from the solid state lighting market, which will require higher brightness, lower-cost white LEDs that require larger-size LED chips. Larger LED chips are increasingly being manufactured in volume on four inch sapphire wafers. Our process to manufacture large diameter, high quality sapphire wafers is well-suited to this market and we believe our processes will help enable its growth. We already produce high volumes of four and six inch sapphire products and we continue to add large diameter sapphire production capacity in anticipation of market growth. We expect that next-generation LEDs and SOS RFICs will be produced on six inch and larger sapphire wafers to further drive cost efficiencies. We already have development programs underway to provide eight inch and larger diameter sapphire as we hope to enable the more rapid conversion of LED and SOS production to these larger sapphire substrates.

Enhance operational excellence

Our unique expertise in producing high-quality sapphire products in many sizes gives us a significant edge in process and product technology. We plan to further refine our proprietary ES2 crystal growth techniques, sapphire processing platforms and process controls to produce even higher quality crystals at greater yields. Our engineering efforts focus on the capability to design, build and maintain ES2 crystal growth furnaces with new proprietary features. We seek to continuously improve our sapphire processing and material inspection capabilities. For example, we have recently added customized metrology tools in our coring and slicing production lines to tighten orientation tolerances and to increase throughput of large diameter sapphire products. We also promote operational excellence through lowering cycle times, raising yields, and reducing overhead costs. Our ability to understand our customers’ design and manufacturing processes enhances our ability to reach these goals. We employ Six Sigma methodologies to continuously improve our operations platforms and we provide extensive training to current and new employees.

Expand our sales and marketing efforts

We plan to enhance our brand recognition worldwide by increasing our marketing and communications programs and resources. For example, we have sponsored several LED conferences and we plan to extend our sponsorships into other markets, such as SOS RFICs and aerospace. We also plan to enhance our website, extend our public relations campaigns and increase our brand visibility in trade publications and with technical organizations. We rely on direct sales for the majority of our business and we use multiple distribution channels to extend the reach of our sales and support teams. Although we have already entered multiple markets globally, we plan to increase the scale and geographical coverage of our sales efforts.


 

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Penetrate new market segments

We target high growth market segments where we believe we can gain a leadership position. Although production of sapphire cores and wafers is our focus today, we intend to leverage our crystal growth and processing know-how to develop high-quality crystal products for new substrate and window applications. Sapphire is becoming increasingly popular and is replacing quartz and glass in high-performance and harsh environment applications in the aerospace, petroleum and laser industries. For example, the US military uses sapphire optical windows to construct targeting mechanisms for its jet fighters and drones and transparent armor for land vehicles. We intend to use our proprietary manufacturing technology to produce additional single crystal materials that can be used in optical applications as well as alternative substrates for certain electronic materials applications. As the electronics and optical industries continue to develop new applications that take advantage of the unique properties of both sapphire and other single crystal products, we aim to be the provider of choice for these applications.

TECHNOLOGY

Our proprietary ES2 crystal growth technique produces high-quality sapphire crystals for use in our sapphire products. ES2 is derived from the standard Kyropoulos method of crystal growth. We developed this technique with the goal of establishing greater control over the crystal growth process while maintaining minimal temperature variations. Unlike other techniques, during the ES2 technique, the growing sapphire crystal exists in an unconstrained, low stress environment inside a closed growth chamber. The closed system allows for enhanced control of the melt, resulting in higher quality crystals. The temperature gradient between the melt and the crystal in the ES2 technique is significantly lower than in other crystal growth techniques. These aspects of the ES2 technique enable us to grow crystals that have a significantly lower dislocation density, higher crystal purity and higher uniformity than sapphire crystals grown using other techniques. The ES2 technique provides an inherent annealing process once the crystal is fully grown. This thermal annealing is an integral means of relieving stress in the crystal during the ES2 process. We believe we can readily scale our ES2 technology in a production environment while maintaining high crystal quality even as crystal boule size is increased. As a result of our proprietary ES2 technology, we believe that we currently offer the most efficient method for manufacturing large form factor high quality sapphire in the market today.

We have automated the crystal growth process of our proprietary ES2 technique. Our furnace environments are controlled by closed-loop control systems and the overall crystal growth process is run with minimal operator intervention, which reduces the potential for human error. In addition, a single operator can supervise the control of multiple ES2 furnaces simultaneously, which reduces cost.

We believe our proprietary ES2 process provides significant advantages over other crystal growth methods such as Czochralski and Edge-defined Film-fed Growth. Unlike the ES2 technique, the CZ and EFG methods grow crystals with much higher levels of stress. This stress can decrease the overall quality of the sapphire crystal and requires increased processing time to relieve this stress, which increases production costs and decreases throughput, especially in larger diameter crystals. During the EFG process, the crystal is grown in a sheet form by pulling it through a die directly from the melt; while in the CZ process, the crystal must be rotated and pulled as the aluminum oxide melt is consumed. These constrained growth environments with higher thermal gradients increase stress and decrease crystal quality.

Our R&D activity plays a vital role in supporting our technology, product and revenue roadmaps. For the first nine months of 2007, our R&D expenses totaled $553,000. For 2006, our R&D expenses


 

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totaled $679,000. For each of 2005 and 2004, our R&D expenses were $861,000 and $922,000, respectively. Our R&D is focused on three key areas: large diameter sapphire growth and fabrication; higher precision sapphire processing; and new crystal development. Our technical staff possesses deep and broad expertise in materials science and engineering. We also develop and utilize sophisticated metrology equipment to perform material and process characterization.

PRODUCTS

We offer a wide variety of sapphire products designed to meet the stringent specifications of our customers. Using our proprietary ES2 technology, we grow high-quality sapphire boules. We fabricate our products from the boules and sell them in four general categories: core, as-cut, as-ground and polished. We currently offer two inch, three inch, four inch and six inch diameter wafers, in C, R, A, and M planar orientations. A sapphire crystal has multiple orientation planes resulting from its crystalline structure symmetry. The following diagram illustrates the various planar orientations of a sapphire crystal.

LOGO

Figure 3: Sapphire crystal planar orientations

Each orientation of the crystal structure is represented by a letter and differs in lattice structure. These variations result in different chemical, electrical, and physical properties depending on the respective orientation plane. As a result, customers require different orientation planes depending on the intended application. For example, LED manufacturers typically request C plane crystals while SOS manufacturers typically request R plane crystals.


 

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The following table illustrates our principal sapphire products and applications:

 

Product    Size    Orientation      Applications

Core

   2”, 3”, 4”, 6”    C, R, A, M     

Ø  LED

Ø  Optical windows

Ø  Blue laser diode

As-Cut

   2”, 3”, 4”, 6”    C, R, A, M     

Ø  Wafers for LED

Ø  Wafers for blue laser diodes

Ø  Wafers for SOS RFICs

As-Ground

   2”, 3”, 4”, 6”    C, R, A, M     

Ø  Wafers for LED

Ø  Wafers for SOS RFICs

Ø  Blanks for optical windows

Ø  Wafer carriers

Polished

   6”    C, R, A     

Ø  Epi-polished wafers for SOS RFICs

Ø  Polished optical windows

Ø  Double-side polished wafer carriers

Core

Our core product line consists of our sapphire cores drilled from sapphire boules with high-precision, and is available in two, three, four and six inch diameters and in various lengths and orientations.

As-cut

Our as-cut product line consists of sapphire cores sliced using a wire saw machine. We believe we are able to offer our customers one of the highest-precision cut sapphire wafers in the market. This is especially important to customers who require precise orientation planes for applications such as LEDs, SOS, RFICs and blue laser diodes.

As-ground

Our as-ground product line consists of cut sapphire wafers that undergo a double-sided lapping and edge grinding process. The lapping process ensures that the surface of the wafer is flat, smooth, and has a high degree of parallelism. The grinding process bevels the edges of the wafers, making them more durable and less susceptible to chipping and cracking.

Polished

Our polished product line consists of finely polished, ultra-clean, six inch sapphire wafers. Our polished wafers undergo two polishing phases including both a mechanical and a chemical mechanical planarization phase. We believe we are currently one of very few firms offering six inch, high-quality R-plane polished wafers.

Other

We also offer optically-polished windows and ground window blanks of sapphire and various fluoride compounds, such as calcium, barium and magnesium fluoride. We provide sapphire and other crystal products in many sizes, shapes and product formats for specialty applications.


 

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MANUFACTURING

The sapphire wafer manufacturing process is outlined in the following diagram:

LOGO

Figure 4: Sapphire wafer manufacturing process

The process of growing the crystal begins by heating the raw material, aluminum oxide, until it reaches an ideal temperature above its melting point. This ideal temperature is essential for our process because it allows us to produce high-purity crystals with very low defect rates. Following the heating, a seed rod is inserted in the melted material as the material is being cooled to crystallize into a boule. Following the growth process, each boule is rigorously inspected by using polarized lighting and magnification to find imperfections, such as bubbles, dislocations and granular deposits within the crystal.

We then drill the resulting boules into cores using our custom high-precision crystal orientation equipment and proprietary processes. We use wire saws to slice each substrate to be of precise size and shape. These substrates are then pre-polished using precision lapping and edge-grinding equipment and then are ready to be polished into epitaxial wafers. All of these processes are performed in clean environments to reduce the chance of crystal contamination. Epi-polishing and wafer cleaning are performed in Class 10,000 and Class 100 clean-room environments, respectively.

We are dedicated to quality assurance throughout our entire operation. We employ detailed material traceability from raw material to finished product. Our quality system is certified as ISO9001:2000 and we have in-house expertise at the Six Sigma Black Belt level.

All of our long-lived assets are located in the US.

SALES AND MARKETING

We market and sell our products through our direct sales force to customers in Asia, North America and Europe. Our direct sales force includes experienced and technically sophisticated sales professionals and engineers who are knowledgeable in the development, manufacturing and use of sapphire substrates, windows and other optical materials. Our sales staff works with customers during all stages of the substrate manufacturing process, from developing the precise composition of the substrate through manufacturing and processing the substrate to the customer’s specifications.

A key component of our marketing strategy is developing and maintaining strong relationships with our customers, especially at the senior management level. We achieve this through working closely with our customers to optimize our products for their production processes. In addition, we are able to develop long-term relationships with key customers through offering product specification assistance, providing direct access to enable them to evaluate and audit our operations, delivering high quality products and


 

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providing superior customer service. We believe that maintaining close relationships with senior management and providing technical support improves customer satisfaction and provides us with a competitive advantage when selling our products.

In order to increase brand recognition of our products and of Rubicon in general, we publish technical articles, advertise in trade journals, distribute promotional materials and participate in industry trade shows and conferences.

CUSTOMERS

Our principal customers are wafer polishing companies and semiconductor device manufacturers. A significant portion of our sales have been to relatively few customers. In the first nine months of 2007, our top three customers accounted for 59% of our revenue. In 2006, 2005 and 2004, sales to our top three customers collectively accounted for 57%, 57% and 64% of our total revenue, respectively. Although we are attempting to diversify and expand our customer base, we expect our sales to continue to be concentrated among a small number of customers. However, we also expect that our significant customers may change from time to time. In the first nine months of 2007, sales to Crystalwise Technology, Inc., Shinkosha Co., Ltd. and Peregrine Semiconductor Corp. represented approximately 27%, 20% and 12% of our revenues, respectively. In 2006, sales to Crystalwise, Shinkosha and Tera Xtal Technology Corporation represented approximately 27%, 17% and 14% of our revenues, respectively. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of our revenues during those periods.

In the first nine months of 2007, 76% of our sales were made to customers in Asia, 22% of our sales were made to customers in North America and 2% of sales were made to customers in Europe. In 2005 and 2006, 87% of our sales were made to customers in Asia, 11% of our sales were made to customers in North America and 2% of our sales were made to customers in Europe. In 2004, 89% of sales were made to customers in Asia, 10% were made to customers in North America, and 1% of our sales were made to customers in Europe. Our contracts with major customers are non-cancelable and provide for minimum levels of product sales for the duration of the contract (typically 12 to 18 months) with the potential for higher sales levels depending on such factors as the customer’s needs, our available capacity and/or our ability to reach agreement on key terms. Our standard arrangement with all customers includes 30 day payment terms.

BACKLOG

Our backlog at September 30, 2007 was approximately $38.0 million, compared to approximately $6.6 million at September 30, 2006. We expect that approximately 77% of our backlog as of September 30, 2007 will be filled after December 31, 2007. We include in our backlog only those customer orders for which we have signed contracts or accepted purchase orders. We consider backlog to be a reasonable management tool to indicate future customer purchases. However, a portion of our order backlog is subject to cancellations with little or no penalties as well as changes and delays and does not provide an assurance of future sales or profitability.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Our ability to compete successfully depends upon our ability to protect our proprietary technologies and other confidential information. We rely primarily upon a combination of trade secret laws and non-disclosure agreements with employees, customers and potential customers to protect our intellectual property. We have three pending patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office covering aspects of our core production, wafer grinding and lapping technologies. However, we believe that factors such as the technological and innovative abilities of our personnel, the success of our ongoing product development efforts and our efforts to maintain trade secret protection are more important than patents in maintaining our competitive position. We pursue the registration of certain of our trademarks in the United States and currently have six registered trademarks and one trademark pending.


 

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COMPETITION

We participate in an innovative, specialized and competitive industry. The products we produce must meet certain demanding requirements to succeed in the marketplace. Although we account for a significant percentage of the total market volume today, we face significant competition from other established providers of similar products as well as from potential new entrants into our markets.

We have a few competitors that compete directly with us that are of similar size or smaller than us. These companies tend to focus on providing core and as-cut products rather than offering polished products. There are a limited number of companies that are substantially larger than us that compete with us in a relatively small segment of their overall business. These larger companies tend to focus on providing polished products to customers rather than providing core, as-cut and as-ground products.

We believe that the key competitive factors in our markets are:

 

Ø  

consistently producing high-quality products in the desired size, orientation and finish;

 

Ø  

driving innovation through focused research and development efforts;

 

Ø  

possessing sufficient supply capacity to meet end-market customer demands;

 

Ø  

offering solutions through collaborative efforts with customers;

 

Ø  

pricing; and

 

Ø  

providing a low total cost-of-ownership for customers.

Although we face significant competition, we believe that our proprietary ES2 crystal growth technology and business practices allow us to compete effectively on all of the above factors.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

In our manufacturing process, we use water, oils, slurries, acids, adhesives and other industrial chemicals. We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local laws regulating the discharge of these materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. These include statutory and regulatory provisions under which we are responsible for the management of hazardous materials we use and the disposition of hazardous wastes resulting from our manufacturing processes. Failure to comply with such provisions, whether intentional or inadvertent, could result in fines and other liabilities to the government or third parties, injunctions requiring us to suspend or curtail operations or other remedies, and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

EMPLOYEES

As of September 30, 2007, we had 127 full-time employees. Of these 127 employees, 114 work in technology and operations. None of our employees is represented by a labor union. We consider our employee relations to be good. We believe that our future success will depend on our continued ability to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel.

FACILITIES

Our executive, research and development and manufacturing functions are located in property that we lease in Franklin Park and Bensenville, Illinois. These facilities total approximately 102,600 square feet in seven buildings, which includes 30,000 square feet for our planned Bensenville, Illinois facility. The leases for these facilities terminate from July 2010 through August 2015. We believe these facilities are adequate to meet our current and anticipated manufacturing needs and additional space would be available on commercially reasonable terms.


 

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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time we may be named in claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Except as discussed below, there are no legal proceedings or claims pending against us or involving us that, in the opinion of our management, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.

On November 2, 2005, Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc. (“Saint-Gobain”) filed a complaint against Rubicon and Happy R Hewes, Rubicon’s Senior Vice President-Sales and Marketing, in the Worcester County Superior Court, Massachusetts, alleging breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation, tortious interference and unfair competition, all related to Rubicon’s employment of Mr. Hewes, which plaintiff alleges is in violation of a non-compete agreement between Mr. Hewes and Saint-Gobain. The plaintiff sought compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief, including an injunction against use and/or dissemination of plaintiff’s trade secrets and other confidential information and specific performance by Mr. Hewes of the terms of the non-compete agreement, including a one-year prohibition from competing with Saint-Gobain. Saint-Gobain filed a substantially identical complaint against Rubicon and Mr. Hewes in the Hillsborough County Superior Court, New Hampshire on January 5, 2007. On August 2, 2007, the Massachusetts action was dismissed by the Worcester County Superior Court. We believe that Saint-Gobain’s claims are without merit and we intend to continue our vigorous defense against these claims. However, due to uncertainty regarding the litigation process, the outcome of this matter is unpredictable and the result of the claims could be unfavorable to Rubicon. In accordance with the provisions of our amended and restated bylaws (as currently in effect) and Delaware law, we are advancing payment of legal fees and expenses incurred on behalf of Mr. Hewes in the defense of these claims. Under those provisions, any officer who receives advanced payments for legal expenses is required to reimburse us for such amounts in the event it is ultimately determined that the officer is not entitled to indemnification under those provisions.


 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers, as of October 31, 2007, including their names, ages and positions:

 

Name    Age    Position
Don N Aquilano (1)(3)    41    Chairman of the Board
Raja M Parvez    49    President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
William F Weissman    49    Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
Happy (Hap) R Hewes    43    Senior Vice President—Sales and Marketing and Assistant Secretary
Donald R Caldwell (2) (3)    61    Director
Gordon Hunter (1)(2)(3)   

56

   Director
Michael E Mikolajczyk (1)(2)    56    Director

(1)   Member of the audit committee.
(2)   Member of compensation committee.
(3)   Member of the nominating and governance committee.

Don N Aquilano has served as a member of our board of directors since May 2002 and as the chairman of our board of directors and a member of the audit committee since May 2005. He joined our nominating and governance committee in August 2007. Since 2000, Mr. Aquilano has served as managing director and president of Gazelle TechVentures, a venture capital fund. Mr. Aquilano holds a BS from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Raja M Parvez has served as our president and chief executive officer since January 2006 and as a member of our board of directors since August 2006. Prior to joining us, Mr. Parvez served as chief operating officer, chief manufacturing officer and vice president at CyOptics, Inc., a designer, developer and marketer of indium phosphide optical chips and components for access, metro and long-haul communications systems from July 2001 through December 2005. From July 2000 to July 2001, Mr. Parvez was president and vice president of manufacturing at Optigain, Inc. a subsidiary of FiTel Technologies, a designer and manufacturer of amplifiers for communications systems . From 1984 to 2000, he was at Lucent Technologies, where he served as distinguished and consulting member of the technical staff. His focus was on operational excellence for Lucent-Optoelectronics products, including indium phosphide and lithium niobate components. Mr. Parvez holds a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Peshawar, an MS in industrial engineering and an MS in management, each from Polytechnic University in New York.

William F Weissman joined us in July 2007 as our chief financial officer, treasurer and secretary. From 1995 to 2007, Mr. Weissman served in various capacities at Kanbay International, Inc., an information technology services firm, including chief financial officer, vice president, executive vice president and secretary. Additionally, Mr. Weissman served as a manager of Kanbay LLC, Kanbay International, Inc.’s immediate predecessor company, from December 1997 to August 2000. Mr. Weissman holds a BA in business administration from Seton Hall University.

Hap R Hewes has served as our senior vice president—sales and marketing since January 2006. He has served as assistant secretary since August 2007. Mr. Hewes also served as a vice president with responsibilities in operations, supply chain and new business development from March 2004 to January 2006. Prior to joining us, Mr. Hewes served in various business management and product development


 

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roles from 1997 to 2004 in both the photonics group of Saint-Gobain Crystals Division USA, and with Saphikon, Inc., a producer of sapphire products. Mr. Hewes holds a BS in biology from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Michigan Business School.

Donald R Caldwell joined us in February 2001 as a member of our board of directors and has served on the compensation committee since June 2002. He joined our audit committee in August 2007. In March 1999, Mr. Caldwell founded Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc., a venture capital fund manager, and he presently serves as its chairman and chief executive officer. Prior to founding Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Mr. Caldwell was president and chief operating officer and a director of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., a holding company which provides management resources and capital, from 1996 to 1999. In addition, since June 1994, Mr. Caldwell has served as a director of Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc., a management and technology consulting firm, and he also serves as a director and a member of the compensation committees of Quaker Chemical Corporation, a provider of process chemicals and chemical specialties, and Voxware, Inc., a supplier of voice driven solutions. Mr. Caldwell is a CPA in the State of New York and holds a BS in accounting from Babson College and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Gordon Hunter joined us in August 2007 as a member of our board of directors, the compensation committee and the nominating and governance committee. Since June 2002, Mr. Hunter has served as a director, and since January 2005, he has served as the chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Littelfuse, Inc., an international supplier of fuse and other circuit protection products for the electronics industry. Mr. Hunter served as the chief operating officer of Littelfuse from November 2003 through December 2004. Prior to joining Littelfuse, Mr. Hunter was vice president, Intel Communications Group, and general manager, Optical Products Group for Intel Corporation. Mr. Hunter was responsible for managing Intel’s access and optical communications business segments within the Intel Communications Group after joining Intel in February 2002. Mr. Hunter currently serves on the Council of Advisors of Shure Incorporated. Mr. Hunter holds a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Liverpool, England, and an MBA from London Business School.

Michael E Mikolajczyk served as a member of our board from June 2001 until May 2002 and rejoined our board of directors in March 2004. Additionally, Mr. Mikolajczyk has served as a member of our audit committee and compensation committee since March 2004. Since September 2003, Mr. Mikolajczyk has served as managing director of Catalyst Capital Management, LLC, a private equity firm. From 2001 through 2003, Mr. Mikolajczyk worked as an independent consultant providing business and financial advisory services to early stage and mid-cap companies. Mr. Mikolajczyk also served as vice chairman of Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc., a management and technology consulting firm, from 2000 to 2001, president from 1998 to 2000 and chief financial officer from 1994 to 1998. Mr. Mikolajczyk served as chief financial officer of Technology Solutions Company, a business solutions provider, from 1992 to 1994. Mr. Mikolajczyk currently serves as a director of Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc. Mr. Mikolajczyk is a CPA in the State of Michigan and holds a BS in business from Wayne State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Our executive officers are appointed by our board of directors to serve until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

CODE OF ETHICS

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. The code of business conduct and


 

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ethics will be available on our website at www.rubicon-es2.com . We expect that any amendments to the code, or any waivers of its requirements, will be disclosed on our website.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We currently have five directors. Our bylaws permit our board of directors to establish by resolution the authorized number of directors, and seven directors are currently authorized. We are currently undertaking a search to identify additional director candidates. As of the completion of this offering, our board of directors will be divided into three classes of directors, each serving staggered three-year terms as follows:

 

Ø  

Class I will consist of Mr. Parvez, whose term will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2008;

 

Ø  

Class II will consist of Mr. Hunter and Mr. Mikolajczyk, whose terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2009; and

 

Ø  

Class III will consist of Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Aquilano, whose terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders held in 2010.

Upon expiration of the term of a class of directors, directors for that class will be eligible to be elected for a three-year term at the annual meeting of stockholders in the year in which that term expires. Each director’s term continues until the election and qualification of his successor, or his earlier death, resignation or removal. The authorized number of directors may be changed by resolution duly adopted by at least a majority of our entire board of directors, although no decrease in the authorized number of directors will have the effect of removing an incumbent director from the board of directors until the incumbent director’s term expires. Any increase or decrease in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. Accordingly, our classified board could have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control of our company.

Pursuant to stockholders agreements entered into in June 2005 and November 2005 by and among us and certain of our stockholders, Messrs. Aquilano, Caldwell, Mikolajczyk and Parvez were each elected to serve as members of our board of directors, and, as of the date of this prospectus, continue to serve in those capacities. Pursuant to the stockholders agreements, Mr. Caldwell was selected as a representative of the holders of a majority of our Series A preferred stock, Mr. Aquilano was selected as a representative of the holders of a majority of the Series B preferred stock, Mr. Parvez was selected as a representative of the holders of a majority of the Series C and Series D preferred stock, voting together as a class, and Mr. Mikolajczyk was selected as a director by the holders of the majority of the preferred stock, voting together as a class. The stockholders agreements will terminate upon completion of this offering, but members previously elected to our board of directors pursuant to these agreements will continue to serve as directors until their resignation or until their successors are duly elected by our stockholders.

Director independence

In August 2007, our board of directors undertook a review of the independence of each director and considered whether any director has a material relationship with us that could compromise his ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities. As a result of this review, our board of directors determined that Messrs. Aquilano, Caldwell, Hunter and Mikolajczyk, representing four of our five directors, are “independent directors” as defined under the rules of the NASDAQ, constituting a majority of independent directors of our board of directors as required by the rules of the NASDAQ.


 

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BOARD COMMITTEES

Our board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and governance committee, each of which will have the composition and responsibilities described below.

Audit committee

Don N Aquilano, Gordon Hunter and Michael E Mikolajczyk, each of whom is a non-employee member of our board of directors, serve on our audit committee. Mr. Mikolajczyk is the chairman of our audit committee. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our audit committee meets the requirements for financial sophistication, and that Messrs. Hunter and Mikolajczyk meet the audit committee requirements for independence, under the current requirements of the NASDAQ Global Market and the SEC rules and regulations. NASDAQ Marketplace Rules permit a company, such as us, listing on the NASDAQ Global Market in connection with its initial public offering, to have a minority of the members of its audit committee not comply with the independence requirements on the date of listing, provided that all of the members satisfy the requirements within one year after listing. If necessary, we will seek another independent director to join the audit committee prior to the end of the one-year phase-in period referenced above. Our board of directors has also determined that Mr. Mikolajczyk is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in the SEC rules. The audit committee’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

 

Ø  

selecting and hiring our independent auditors, and approving the audit and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditors;

 

Ø  

evaluating the qualifications, experience, performance and independence of our independent auditors;

 

Ø  

monitoring the integrity of our financial statements and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as they relate to financial statements or accounting matters;

 

Ø  

reviewing the adequacy, effectiveness and integrity of our internal control policies and procedures;

 

Ø  

discussing the scope and results of the audit with the independent auditors and reviewing with management and the independent auditors our interim and year-end operating results; and

 

Ø  

preparing the audit committee report required by the SEC in our annual proxy statement.

Compensation committee

Donald R Caldwell, Gordon Hunter and Michael E Mikolajczyk, each of whom is a non-employee member of our board of directors, serve on the compensation committee. Mr. Caldwell is the chairman of our compensation committee. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our compensation committee meets the requirements for independence under the current requirements of the NASDAQ Global Market. The compensation committee’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

 

Ø  

reviewing and approving our chief executive officer’s and other executive officers’ annual base salaries and annual bonuses;

 

Ø  

evaluating and recommending to the board incentive compensation plans;

 

Ø  

overseeing an evaluation of the performance of our executive officers;

 

Ø  

administering, reviewing and making recommendations with respect to our equity compensation plans;

 

Ø  

reviewing and making recommendations to the board of directors with respect to director compensation; and

 

Ø  

preparing the compensation committee report required by the SEC in our annual proxy statement.


 

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Nominating and governance committee

Don N Aquilano, Gordon Hunter and Donald R Caldwell, each of whom is a non-employee member of our board of directors, serve on the nominating and governance committee. Mr. Hunter is the chairman of our nominating and governance committee. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our nominating and governance committee meets the requirements for independence under the current requirements of the NASDAQ Global Market. The nominating and governance committee’s responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

 

Ø  

developing and recommending to the board criteria for board and committee membership;

 

Ø  

assisting our board in identifying prospective director nominees and recommending to the board director nominees for each annual meeting of stockholders;

 

Ø  

recommending members for each board committee to our board of directors;

 

Ø  

reviewing developments in corporate governance practices and developing and recommending governance principles applicable to our board of directors; and

 

Ø  

overseeing the evaluation of the board of directors.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Most of our directors do not currently receive any compensation for their services as members of our board of directors or any committee of our board of directors because they are representatives of principal stockholders of our company and, as a privately-held company, we believed such compensation to be unnecessary. However, we paid Mr. Aquilano $50,000 in June 2007 and $50,000 in August, 2007 for his past service as the chairman of our board of directors. We awarded to Messrs. Hunter and Mikolajczyk participation rights in our Management Incentive Bonus Plan (the “MIB Plan”), which will terminate upon completion of this offering, that provide for the payment of bonuses in the event that we are sold. We also awarded to Mr. Mikolajczyk, in June 2007, an option to purchase 23,653 shares of our common stock. The awards to Mr. Mikolajczyk were made in recognition of his past service as a member of our board of directors and audit and compensation committees. The award to Mr. Hunter of the right to participate in the MIB Plan was made in recognition of his past service as a board advisor. Neither Mr. Hunter nor Mr. Mikolajczyk is affiliated with any of our principal stockholders. In addition, we have a policy of reimbursing directors for travel, lodging and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at board or committee meetings.

Effective upon the completion of the offering, our board of directors adopted a compensation policy that will be applicable to all of our non-employee directors. This compensation policy provides that each such non-employee director will receive an annual fee of $50,000, plus $5,000 per year for service on the audit committee, $2,500 per year for service on the compensation committee and $1,000 per year for service on the nominating and governance committee. The chairmen of the audit, compensation and nominating and governance committees will receive, per year, $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000, respectively, in each case in lieu of committee service compensation. No additional payment will be made for meeting attendance. All fees will be paid in quarterly installments and will be payable 50% in cash and 50% in restricted stock. In addition, each of our non-employee directors who is not a representative of a principal stockholder of our company will receive a one-time grant of restricted stock effective upon the closing of this offering and valued at $100,000, based on the initial public offering price. We also will reimburse our directors for reasonable expenses incurred in the course of attending meetings or conducting company business.


 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table sets forth information regarding the aggregate compensation we paid to the members of our board of directors for the year ended December 31, 2006:

 

Name   Fees
earned
or paid
in cash
  Stock
awards
  Option
awards
  Non-equity
incentive
plan
compensation
  Change in
pension value
and
nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
  All other
compensation
  Total

Don N Aquilano

  $ 100,000   $   $   $   $   $   $ 100,000

Raja M Parvez

                           

Brian Adamsky (1)

                           

Donald R Caldwell

                           

Byron Denenberg (1)

                           

Michael E Mikolajczyk (2)

                           

 

 


(1)   Messrs. Adamsky and Denenberg resigned from our board of directors effective August 29, 2007.
(2)   In June 2007, we awarded Mr. Mikolajczyk an option to purchase 23,653 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $8.45 per share, with a one-year vesting period. The stock based compensation expense in year 2007 for Mr. Mikolajczyk’s stock option under SFAS 123R is expected to be approximately $28,230.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

None of the members of our compensation committee is or previously served as one of our officers or employees. None of our named executive officers serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee.

Two members of our compensation committee, Messrs. Aquilano and Caldwell, are affiliated with entities that have purchased shares in one or more of our private placements of securities. See “Certain relationships and related party transactions.”


 

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Executive compensation

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The following discussion and analysis of compensation arrangements of our named executive officers for 2006 should be read together with the compensation tables and related disclosures set forth below. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs that we adopt may differ materially from currently planned programs as summarized in this discussion. All references below to common stock share numbers or prices have been adjusted to give effect to the 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock effective August 30, 2007.

We believe that the compensation of our executive officers should facilitate the achievement of short-term corporate goals as well as the performance of long-term business objectives. It is the responsibility of the compensation committee of our board of directors to administer our compensation practices to ensure that they are competitive and include incentives which are designed to appropriately drive corporate performance. Our compensation committee reviews and approves all of our compensation policies, including executive officer salaries, bonuses and equity incentive compensation.

Objectives of our executive compensation programs

Our compensation programs for our named executive officers are designed to achieve the following objectives:

 

Ø  

attract and retain talented and experienced executives in our industry;

 

Ø  

motivate and reward executives whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to our success;

 

Ø  

align the interests of our executives and stockholders, by encouraging executives to increase stockholder value and rewarding executives when stockholder value increases; and

 

Ø  

motivate our executives to manage our business to meet our short-term and long-term corporate goals and business objectives, and reward them for meeting these objectives.

We use a mix of short-term compensation in the form of base salaries and cash incentive bonuses and long-term compensation in the form of equity incentive compensation to provide a total compensation structure that is designed to encourage our executives to achieve these objectives.

Determining executive compensation

The compensation committee is responsible for developing, administering and interpreting the compensation program for executive officers and other key employees. Our compensation committee was appointed by our board of directors, and consists entirely of directors who are “outside directors”, for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, and “non-employee directors” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

The compensation committee may delegate some or all of its responsibilities to one or more subcommittees whenever necessary to comply with any statutory or regulatory requirements or otherwise deemed appropriate by the committee. The compensation committee has the authority to retain consultants and other advisors to assist with its duties and has sole authority to approve the fees and other retention terms of such consultants and advisors. For 2007, the compensation committee engaged the consulting firm of Hewitt Associates, LLC to assist the committee in analyzing its compensation structure and to make suggestions for our future compensation structure.


 

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Historically, our chief executive officer makes recommendations to the compensation committee regarding the salaries, bonus arrangements and option grants, if any, for key employees, including all executive officers. In setting compensation for key employees in 2006, the compensation committee made certain revisions to the chief executive officer’s recommendations. Following the completion of the offering, our chief executive officer will continue making such recommendations for all key employees other than himself. For executive officers whose bonus awards are based partly on individual performance, the CEO’s evaluation of such performance is provided to and reviewed by the compensation committee. Based on the foregoing, the compensation committee uses its judgment in making compensation decisions that will best carry out our philosophy and objectives for executive compensation.

Within the context of the overall objectives of our compensation programs, we determined the specific amounts of compensation to be paid to each of our executives in 2006 based on a number of factors including:

 

Ø  

the roles and responsibilities of our executives;

 

Ø  

the individual experience and skills of our executives;

 

Ø  

the amounts of compensation being paid to our other executives;

 

Ø  

our executives’ historical compensation at our company; and

 

Ø  

our understanding of the amount of compensation generally paid by similarly situated companies to their executives with similar roles and responsibilities.

In evaluating the compensation generally paid by similarly situated companies, we have relied primarily on the experience of the members of our board of directors who are affiliated with venture capital firms. These firms have representatives who sit on the boards of directors of numerous portfolio companies. Greater weight is given to the compensation practices of those portfolio companies that are of a comparable size and stage of development as us and/or that are in similar industry classifications, such as high technology or advanced materials manufacturing companies. Our compensation committee has also obtained guidance on appropriate executive compensation practices from executive search firms in the course of recruiting executives for Rubicon and other of these portfolio companies. In addition, we have historically taken into account available data relating to the compensation practices of other companies within and outside our industry. However, we have not formally benchmarked our executives’ compensation against any group of peer companies.

Elements of our executive compensation programs

Our executive compensation primarily consists of base salary, cash incentive bonuses, equity-based incentives and benefit programs. We believe it is important that the interests of our executives are aligned with those of our stockholders; therefore, equity incentive compensation constitutes a significant portion of our total executive compensation.

We discuss each of the primary elements of our executive compensation in detail below. While we have identified particular compensation objectives that each element of executive compensation serves, our compensation programs are designed to complement each other and collectively serve all of our executive compensation objectives described above.

Annual cash compensation

Base salary

Base salaries are intended to provide a level of compensation sufficient to attract and retain an effective management team when considered in combination with the performance-based and other components


 

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of our compensation program. The base salary of each executive officer is reviewed annually to determine if it is equitably aligned with our other executive officers and is at a sufficient level to attract and retain top talent. Salaries are adjusted to reflect individual roles and performance and may be increased at other times if a change in the scope of the officer’s responsibilities justifies such consideration or in order to maintain salary equity among executive officers. We believe that a competitive base salary is a necessary element of any compensation program designed to attract and retain talented and experienced executives. We also believe that attractive base salaries can serve as an effective reward for the executives’ overall performance.

Our executives’ base salaries reflect the initial base salaries that we negotiated with each of them at the time of his or her initial employment and our subsequent adjustments to these amounts. Following this offering, we intend to formally evaluate executive performance on an annual basis, and these evaluations will be one of the factors considered in making future adjustments to base salaries. The base salary for our chief executive officer for 2006 remained at the level negotiated in his employment agreement in late 2005. His negotiated salary was set at a level the compensation committee considered to be moderately above average reflecting our desire to attract an exceptional chief executive officer to lead a company that was incurring significant losses at the time. Base salaries for other key employees remained substantially unchanged in 2006 reflecting the one-time stay bonuses paid in 2005, our limited cash flow at the time and our determination not to make significant changes in other executives’ compensation until our newly hired chief executive officer was in a position to provide his input on such matters. A modest increase in base salary was made for one executive in light of her assumption of additional responsibilities due to the departure of certain other employees.

Cash incentive bonuses

The primary objectives of our incentive bonus plan are to provide an incentive for superior work, to motivate our executives toward even higher achievement and business results, to tie our executives’ goals and interests to ours and our stockholders’ and to enable us to attract and retain highly qualified individuals. Under the plan, each executive is entitled to receive a bonus based on our attainment of corporate performance targets set by the compensation committee. These targets are typically set in the first four months of the year. For 2006, these targets were based on gross revenues and EBITDA which the compensation committee believed were the most appropriate criteria for a company at our stage of development. The targets under our incentive bonus plan are based on internal financial goals set in connection with our board of directors’ consideration and approval of our annual operating plan. These targets are set at levels that we believe can be readily achieved if our executive officers perform at a high level and if the assumptions underlying our annual operating plan prove correct. Incentive bonuses are set at a percentage of salary, which, in 2006, was 20% for our named executive officers.

The compensation committee may also, in its discretion, award bonuses to executives based upon such other terms and conditions as the compensation committee may determine. For 2006, the compensation committee awarded additional bonuses to the executive officers in recognition of their roles in exceeding our EBITDA target under the incentive bonus plan for 2006. These discretionary bonuses were determined in the aggregate as a percentage of our 2006 EBITDA in excess of the target under the incentive bonus plan and were allocated among members of the management team, including our executive officers, by our chairman of the board and our chief executive officer, taking into consideration their evaluation of the contributions made by each member of the management team. A significant portion of the discretionary bonus was allocated to our chief executive officer in recognition of his role in our improved financial performance during 2006 and in the recruiting and hiring of additional key personnel.

Mr. Parvez received a one-time signing bonus of $25,000 and a one-time incentive bonus of $25,000 pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement. The aggregate amount of these bonuses,


 

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$50,000, was considered by the compensation committee to be consistent with market practices for signing bonuses for similarly situated chief executive officers based on the committee members’ experience with their firms’ other portfolio companies and guidance obtained from the executive search firm that assisted us in recruiting Mr. Parvez. Because of our limited cash flow at the time, one-half of the targeted signing bonus was structured as an incentive bonus payable upon achieving certain cash flow targets.

Equity incentive compensation

We grant equity incentive awards in the form of stock options to align the interests of our executives with our stockholders by providing our executives with strong incentives to increase stockholder value. These awards represent a significant portion of total executive compensation. In most cases, stock options vest at the rate of 25% of the total option shares on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, thus providing added incentive for the executive to continue his or her employment with us. The 2006 stock option awarded to our chief executive officer vested immediately pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement. The compensation committee believed this exception to the general vesting policy was appropriate in order to provide our chief executive officer with an immediate stake in the future performance of our company. The board of directors has approved the grant of an option to purchase 107,692 shares of our common stock to Mr. Parvez, upon the closing of this offering, at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price. One-half of these option shares will vest upon the closing of this offering with the remainder vesting ratably on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant. The compensation committee chose to have one-half of this award vest concurrently upon the closing of this offering in recognition of Mr. Parvez’s extraordinary efforts over the past 18 months and our financial performance during that period. The compensation committee set the size of the grant to Mr. Parvez based on its determination that the aggregate amount of all of Mr. Parvez’s option holdings should represent approximately 5% of our total equity on a fully diluted and converted basis, but before giving effect to the issuance of shares in this offering. The compensation committee considers this targeted level of equity interest to be consistent with the level of ownership typically held by a company’s founder immediately prior to its initial public offering, based on the committee members’ experience with their firms’ other portfolio companies. The compensation committee considers Mr. Parvez to be the equivalent of a company founder. While similar considerations led to the determination to award Mr. Parvez options covering 471,021 shares of common stock in 2006, subsequent issuances in 2006 and 2007 of Series E preferred stock and warrants to purchase Series E preferred stock reduced the percentage of our total equity represented by Mr. Parvez’s stock options to approximately 4%.

Historically, the board has granted stock options at various times during the year based on recommendations from the compensation committee. Effective upon the completion of this offering, the board adopted a policy generally to grant stock options to executives and current employees once per year. As such, in the future such grants normally will be made at a meeting of the board of directors held within a prescribed period following our release of year-end financial results. This period runs from the third until the 12 th business day following the release. With respect to newly hired employees, our practice is typically to make stock option grants at the first meeting of the board of directors following such employee’s hire date. Otherwise, we do not have any program, plan or practice to time stock option grants in coordination with the release of material non-public information.

In 2006, we granted options to purchase a total of 912,456 shares of common stock, of which options to purchase a total of 588,329 shares were granted to our named executive officers, representing 65% of all options granted in 2006. The size of the option grant to Mr. Parvez, covering 471,021 shares of common stock, was based on the compensation committee’s determination that Mr. Parvez’s option holdings should represent approximately 5% of our total equity at that time calculated on a fully diluted and converted basis. The compensation committee recommended a significant grant of options to Mr. Hewes, covering 115,384 shares of common stock, in view of his increasing level of executive responsibilities and


 

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the small amount of his option holdings at the time. An additional grant of stock options was also made to Ms. Graffy in consideration of her increased responsibilities due to the departure of certain employees. The number of stock options granted to each executive is set forth in the “2006 Grants of plan-based awards” table. The value of such grants, as determined in accordance with SFAS 123R, for each individual named executive officer is set forth in the column “Option awards” in the “Summary compensation table.”

The exercise price of each stock option granted under our 2001 Equity Plan is based on the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. The fair market value of our common stock for purposes of determining the exercise price of stock options has been determined by our board of directors based on a number of factors applicable to common stock of privately-held companies including:

 

Ø  

our stock option grants involved illiquid securities in a private company;

 

Ø  

prices of our preferred stock issued to investors in arms-length transactions, and the rights, preferences and privileges of our preferred stock relative to those of our common stock;

 

Ø  

our results of operations and financial status;

 

Ø  

our stage of development and business strategy;

 

Ø  

the composition of and changes to our management team; and

 

Ø  

the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event for the shares of our common stock underlying stock options, such as an initial public offering of our common stock or our sale to a third party, given prevailing market conditions.

In connection with this offering, our board of directors and stockholders have adopted the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, or 2007 Plan, which will take effect upon the consummation of this offering. The 2007 Plan permits the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards and bonus shares. The 2007 Plan will replace our existing 2001 Equity Plan following this offering. For a further description, please see “Employee benefit plans—2007 Stock Incentive Plan” below.

Management incentive bonus plan

We currently have a Management Incentive Bonus Plan (the “MIB Plan”), which will terminate upon completion of this offering, that provides for the payment of bonuses to certain of our employees, including each of our named executive officers, in the event that we are sold. The purpose of the MIB Plan is to provide those employees with an opportunity to participate financially in the proceeds of such a transaction that is in our and our stockholders’ best interests, but which may otherwise create personal uncertainties for them. Pursuant to the MIB Plan, upon the closing of a sale transaction of Rubicon, each participant in the MIB Plan would receive a bonus in an amount equal to the sales proceeds multiplied by a specified percentage for that participant. Each participant’s specified percentage is approved by resolution of the board of directors at the time that employee was designated a participant under the MIB Plan and may be increased by the board of directors from time to time. These bonuses would be paid in cash or, at our option, in the same form of consideration as payable in the sale transaction.

Benefits

All of our executive officers are eligible for benefits offered to employees generally, including life, health, disability and dental insurance and our 401(k) plan. Consistent with our compensation philosophy, we intend to continue to maintain our current benefits for our executive officers. The compensation committee, in its discretion, may revise the executive officers’ benefits if it deems it advisable.


 

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Severance and change in control arrangements

Our named executive officers have employment and/or other agreements that provide various benefits triggered by such employment-related actions as termination without cause, resignation with good reason and/or termination without cause following a change in control. Such benefits may include salary continuation, guaranteed bonuses, lump sum severance and/or the acceleration of stock option vesting. See “—Employment and severance arrangements” below for a description of the severance and change in control arrangements for our named executive officers. In addition, each of our equity incentive plans provides for a potential acceleration of vesting of outstanding awards in the event that we undergo a change in control, as defined in such plans. See “—Employee benefit plans” below for a description of the change in control provisions contained in our equity incentive plans.

In setting the terms of and determining whether to approve these severance and change in control arrangements, our compensation committee or board of directors, as applicable, recognized that executives often face challenges securing new employment following a termination of their existing employment and that distractions created by uncertain job security may have a detrimental impact on their performance. With the exception of the acceleration of stock option vesting, none of these benefits are triggered by a change in control unless the named executive officer’s employment is terminated without cause following such change in control. The acceleration of stock option vesting upon a change in control occurs only if the option is not assumed, or an equivalent right substituted, by the successor corporation. We believe the acceleration of option vesting under such circumstances is appropriate to preserve the benefit intended to be provided to the executive while avoiding the acceleration of benefits where the executive is enjoying a continuation of the same or comparable benefit following the change in control.

Effect of accounting and tax treatment on compensation decisions

In the review and establishment of our compensation programs, we consider the anticipated accounting and tax implications to us and our executives. In this regard, following the completion of this offering, we may begin utilizing restricted stock and/or restricted stock units as additional forms of equity compensation incentives in response to changes in the accounting treatment of equity awards under SFAS 123R. While we consider the applicable accounting and tax treatment, these factors alone are not dispositive, and we also consider the cash and non-cash impact of the programs and whether a program is consistent with our overall compensation philosophy and objectives.

Section 162(m) of the Code imposes a limit on the amount of compensation that we may deduct in any one year with respect to our chief executive officer and each of our next four most highly compensated executive officers, unless certain specific and detailed criteria are satisfied. Performance-based compensation, as defined in the Code, is fully deductible if the programs are approved by stockholders and meet other requirements. In addition, stock options granted under our 2001 Equity Plan as well as equity and cash awards granted under our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan are exempt from Section 162(m) of the Code pursuant to an exemption available for plans adopted prior to the time a company becomes a public company. This exemption for a pre-IPO compensation plan will no longer be available to us after the date of our annual meeting that occurs after the third calendar year following the year of our initial public offering, or if we materially modify the plan. Assuming that we consummate this offering in 2007, the pre-IPO exemption will expire on the date of our 2011 annual meeting. Subsequent to the expiration of this pre-IPO exemption, we intend to assess the impact of Section 162(m) on our compensation practices and determine whether to qualify equity and cash awards as performance-based compensation.


 

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The table below sets forth, for the 2006 calendar year, the compensation earned by our president and chief executive officer, our principal financial officer, and our only other executive officer serving during 2006. Such persons are referred to herein as our “named executive officers.”

 

Name and principal position   Salary   Bonus     Option
awards (1)
  All other
compensation
    Total

Raja M Parvez

President and Chief Executive Officer

  $ 275,000   $ 165,000 (2)   $ 53,876   $ 60,767 (3)   $ 554,643

Mardel A Graffy

Director of Finance (4)

  $ 118,491   $ 21,774     $ 35         $ 140,300

Hap R Hewes

Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing

  $ 180,000   $ 46,000     $ 2,764         $ 228,764

(1)   Amounts represent stock-based compensation expense for year 2006 for stock options granted in 2006 under SFAS 123R as discussed in Note 6 to our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, included elsewhere in this prospectus.
(2)   Consists of a $25,000 signing bonus and a $25,000 incentive bonus paid in accordance with Mr. Parvez’s employment agreement, a $55,000 bonus paid pursuant to our incentive bonus plan (and which is also reflected in the “2006 Grants of plan-based awards” table) and a $60,000 discretionary bonus.
(3)   Reflects the reimbursement of commuting expenses prior to Mr. Parvez’s relocation from Pennsylvania to Illinois.
(4)   During 2006, Ms. Graffy acted as our principal financial officer, although not formally an executive officer.

2006 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

The following table lists grants of plan-based awards made to our named executive officers in 2006 and related fair value compensation for 2006:

 

Name   Grant date   Date grant
approved
by board
  Estimated future
payouts under
Non-equity
incentive plan
awards
    All other
option
awards:
number of
securities
underlying
options
  Exercise
or base
price of
option
awards
($/Sh)
  Grant
date fair
value of
stock and
option
awards (1)
      Target($)        

Raja M Parvez

  July 1, 2006   July 24, 2006       471,021   $ 0.91   $ 53,876
      55,000 (2)          

Mardel A Graffy

  July 1, 2006   July 24, 2006       1,923     0.78     256
      17,774 (2)          

Hap R Hewes

  July 1, 2006   July 24, 2006       115,384     0.78     15,371
      36,000 (2)          

(1)   Amounts represent total fair value of stock options granted in 2006 under SFAS 123R as discussed in Note 6 to our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, included elsewhere in this prospectus.
(2)   Bonus awards were earned and paid at the threshold level for 2006 and are included in the “Bonus” column of the Summary compensation table.

Discussion of summary compensation and grants of plan-based awards tables

Our executive compensation policies and practices, pursuant to which the compensation set forth in the “Summary compensation table” and the “2006 Grants of plan-based awards” table was paid or awarded, are described above under “—Compensation discussion and analysis.” See also “—Employment and severance arrangements.” For 2006, our executives earned bonuses under the incentive bonus plan at the threshold level. These bonuses are shown in the “Threshold” column of the “2006 Grants of plan-based awards” table and are included in the “Bonus” column of the “Summary compensation table.”


 

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END

The following table sets forth information regarding grants of plan based option awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2006:

 

      Option Awards   Stock Awards
Name   Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
exercisable (1)
  Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
unexercisable
  Option
exercise
price
($/Sh)
  Option
expiration
date
  Number
of
shares
of stock
that
have
not
vested
  Market
value of
shares
of stock
that
have
not
vested
  Equity
plan
awards:
number
of
unearned
shares or
other
rights
that have
not
vested
  Equity
plan
awards:
market
or
payout
value of
unearned
shares or
other
rights
that have
not
vested

Raja M Parvez

  471,021     $ 0.91   July 1, 2016        

Mardel A Graffy

    1,923   $ 0.78   July 1, 2016        
  1,442   4,326   $ 4.94   January 31, 2015        

Hap R Hewes

    115,384   $ 0.78   July 1, 2016        
  8,846   8,846   $ 4.94   December 31, 2014        
  7,307   7,307   $ 4.94   March, 29 2014        

(1)   The options granted to Ms. Graffy and Mr. Hewes vest at the rate of 25% of the total option shares on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant. Mr. Parvez’s options were immediately vested upon grant.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

None of our named executive officers exercised stock options or had any restricted stock vest in 2006.

PENSION BENEFITS

None of our named executive officers participates in or has account balances in qualified or non-qualified defined benefit plans sponsored by us.

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

None of our named executive officers participates in or have account balances in non-qualified defined contribution plans or other deferred compensation plans maintained by us.

EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE ARRANGEMENTS

All references below to common stock numbers or exercise prices have been adjusted to give effect to the 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock effective August 30, 2007.

Raja M Parvez

We entered into an employment agreement with Raja Parvez, our president and chief executive officer, dated November 17, 2005, as amended July 25, 2007.

Term.     The term of the agreement commenced on January 2, 2006 and expires on January 2, 2008 subject to automatic one-year extensions unless either party provides the other with written notice of non-renewal at least 60 days prior to the end of the then-current term.


 

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Compensation.     Under the terms of his agreement, Mr. Parvez is entitled to a 2006 annual base salary of $275,000, a one-time signing bonus of $25,000, a one-time incentive bonus of $25,000 and an annual discretionary bonus of up to $75,000 based upon the achievement of certain business objectives. Mr. Parvez’ actual bonuses for 2006 included a $55,000 award under the 2006 Incentive Bonus Plan and two additional discretionary bonuses aggregating $60,000. In addition, Mr. Parvez was granted in 2006 an immediately vested option to purchase 471,021 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.91 per share and a participation right in the MIB Plan. The MIB Plan terminates upon completion of this offering. We have also agreed to reimburse Mr. Parvez for all reasonable commuting expenses (including travel and lodging costs and meal expenses) associated with his maintaining a presence in Illinois prior to his relocation from Pennsylvania.

Severance.     In the event that Mr. Parvez’s employment is terminated by us without “cause” or if he resigns for “good reason”, he will receive a severance payment equal to his annual base salary in effect at that time and health and welfare benefits for a period of 12 months or six months, respectively, after his termination date. For purposes of the agreement, (i) “cause” is defined as willful misconduct materially and adversely affecting us; theft, fraud, embezzlement or similar behavior; indictment or conviction of a felony; or willfully failing to substantially perform the material duties of his position, other than a failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness, following a demand for performance delivered by the board of directors and a specified cure period of not less than 30 days; and (ii) “good reason” is defined as a reduction in base salary or a diminution in benefits; substantial diminution in Mr. Parvez’s duties, responsibilities or title, if uncured 30 days after written notice of the diminution was delivered to us by Mr. Parvez; or relocation for a period of greater than six consecutive months greater than 100 miles from the Chicago metropolitan area.

Restrictive Covenants.     The agreement contains customary non-competition and non-solicitation covenants on the part of Mr. Parvez. These restrictions survive for a period of 12 months after Mr. Parvez’s resignation or termination, and in the event of a breach of his employment agreement, the period is automatically extended by the period of the breach.

William F Weissman

We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Weissman, our chief financial officer, effective as of July 30, 2007. The key terms of the agreement are summarized below.

Term.     The term of the agreement commenced on July 30, 2007 and expires on June 30, 2008, subject to automatic one-year extensions unless either party provides the other with written notice of non-renewal at least 60 days prior to the end of the then-current term.

Compensation.     Under the terms of his agreement, Mr. Weissman is entitled to a 2007 annual base salary of $200,000 and an annual discretionary bonus targeted at 25% of his annual base salary. In addition, Mr. Weissman was granted in 2007 an option to purchase 190,348 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $8.45 per share. The option vests at the rate of 25% of the total option shares on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant. Mr. Weissman was also granted a participation right in the MIB Plan. The MIB Plan terminates upon completion of this offering. Prior to his employment as our chief financial officer, Mr. Weissman was granted an option to purchase 15,384 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $8.45 per share in recognition of his services as our interim chief financial officer. This option vests in full upon the closing of the initial public offering or a sale of our company.

Severance terms.     In the event that Mr. Weissman’s employment agreement is terminated by us without “cause” or if he resigns for “good reason”, he will receive a continuation of his annual base salary for six


 

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months thereafter and acceleration of the vesting of options provided that Mr. Weissman delivers a release of claims. In addition, he will receive a continuation of his medical and welfare benefits for a period of six months thereafter. If we, at any time after completion of this offering, and within one year after a change in control, terminate Mr. Weissman without cause, he will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to six months of his annual base salary in lieu of the salary continuation described above. Upon the occurrence of a change in control or the closing of this offering, the vesting of Mr. Weissman’s option to purchase 15,384 shares of our common stock will accelerate, provided he delivers a release of claims.

For purposes of the agreement (i) “cause” is defined as willful misconduct materially and adversely affecting us; theft, fraud, embezzlement or similar behavior; indictment or conviction of a felony; or willfully failing to substantially perform the material duties of his position, other than failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness, following a demand for performance delivered by the board of directors and a specified cure period of not less than 10 days; and (ii) “good reason” is defined as a reduction in base salary; substantial diminution in Mr. Weissman’s duties, responsibilities or title, if uncured by us within 30 days of receipt of notice from Mr. Weissman; or relocation for a period of greater than six consecutive months greater than 100 miles from the Chicago metropolitan area.

Restrictive covenants.     The agreement contains customary non-competition and non-solicitation covenants on the part of Mr. Weissman. These restrictions survive for a period of 12 months after Mr. Weissman’s resignation or termination, and in the event of a breach of his employment agreement, the period is automatically extended by the period of the breach.

Mardel A Graffy

We entered into a change in control severance agreement as of August 30, 2007 with Ms. Graffy. This agreement provides that if we, at any time after completion of this offering, and within one year after a change in control, terminate Ms. Graffy without cause, she will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to six months of her annual base salary provided that Ms. Graffy delivers a release of claims. For purposes of the agreement, “cause” is defined as willful misconduct materially and adversely affecting us; theft, fraud, embezzlement or similar behavior; indictment or conviction of a felony; or willfully failing to substantially perform the material duties of her position, other than failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness, following a demand for performance delivered by the board of directors and a specified cure period of not less than 10 days.

Hap R Hewes

We entered into an employment agreement as of March 29, 2004, a non-competition agreement as of April 6, 2005 and a severance agreement as of September 8, 2005 with Mr. Hewes, our senior vice president of sales and marketing. The key terms of these agreements are summarized below.

Term.     Mr. Hewes is considered an “employee at will” and either party may terminate the agreement on 30 days’ advance written notice.

Compensation.     Under the terms of his agreement, Mr. Hewes is entitled to a minimum annual base salary of $140,000 and an annual discretionary bonus of up to 40% of his base salary. In addition, Mr. Hewes was entitled to receive an option to purchase 11,335 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $4.94 per share; however, our board of directors decided at the time of grant in March 2004 to increase the size of the award to 14,615 option shares. Mr. Hewes’ option vests at the rate of 25% of the total option shares on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant.

Severance terms.     Under the terms of the severance agreement, if Mr. Hewes is terminated by us without “cause” or if he resigns for “good reason”, he will receive, provided that Mr. Hewes delivers a release of claims, (i) a continuation of his annual base salary for six months thereafter, (ii) a bonus equal to two


 

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times the minimum bonus specified in our 2005 performance bonus plan, (iii) a continuation of his medical and welfare benefits for a period of 12 months thereafter, (iv) if the termination occurs within the second half of a vesting year, accelerated vesting of the options that would have vested at the end of such period, and (v) an extension of the exercise period of his options until the later of (a) two years after his termination and (b) the expiration date of the options.

For purposes of the severance agreement, (i) “cause” is defined as commission of a willful or grossly negligent act or the willful or grossly negligent omission to act, which is intended to cause or causes or is reasonably likely to cause material harm to us; commission or conviction of, or a plea of no contest to, any felony, crime or offense involving dishonesty or fraud or that is significantly injurious to us; breach of any material term of any agreement with us that remains uncured for 30 days following written notice; willful neglect of or continued failure to substantially perform, in any material respect, his duties or obligations to us, which neglect or failure continues for 30 days following written notice; or use or abuse of illegal drugs at any time or Mr. Hewes’ being under the influence of alcohol during any time in which he is required to perform his duties and obligations to us; and (ii) “good reason” is defined as the assignment to Mr. Hewes of duties materially inconsistent with his level of authority or responsibilities, or any other action by us that results in material diminution of his position, compensation, authority, duties or responsibilities; a breach by us of any material term of any agreement with Mr. Hewes that remains uncured for 30 days following written notice; a requirement that the primary business location of Mr. Hewes move more than 75 miles from his principal office location; or failure of a successor to substantially all of our business or assets to assume expressly, and agree to perform under the terms of, the severance agreement.

Restrictive covenants.     The non-competition agreement contains customary non-competition and non-solicitation covenants on the part of Mr. Hewes. These restrictions survive for a period of 36 months after Mr. Hewes’ resignation or termination; provided, however, that the restrictions will remain in effect after the termination of his employment only for so long as we are paying Mr. Hewes an amount equal to 50% of his annual base salary on a monthly basis.


 

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Potential payments upon termination of employment

The table below shows the estimated amount of payments and benefits that we would provide to the named executive officers assuming that their employment was terminated as of December 31, 2006 by us without cause, including following a change in control, or by the officer with good reason. The table also shows the estimated amount of benefits that we would provide upon the occurrence of a change in control, as defined in the 2001 Equity Plan, as of December 31, 2006, if the named executive officer’s options were not assumed, or an equivalent right substituted, by the successor corporation.

 

    Cash severance     Continuation
of medical
welfare
benefits
  Accelerated
vesting of
stock
options (1)
  Total
benefits
      Salary
continuation
  Bonus   Lump
sum
       
    (in dollars)

Raja M Parvez

           

Termination without cause

  $   $   $ 275,000 (2)   $8,442   $ 0   $ 283,442

Termination for good reason

            275,000 (2)   4,221     0     279,221

Termination following a change in control

            275,000 (2)   8,442     0     283,442

Change in control (3)

                        0

Mardel Graffy

           

Termination without cause

                       

Termination for good reason

                       

Termination following a change in control

            59,246             59,246

Change in control (3)

                       

William F Weissman (4)

           

Termination without cause

    100,000            

4,221

    936,081     1,040,302

Termination for good reason

    100,000            

4,221

    936,081     1,040,302

Termination following a change in control

            100,000    

4,221

    936,081     1,040,302

Change in control (3)(5)

                    70,000     70,000

Hap R Hewes

           

Termination without cause

    90,000     36,000         8,442     29,450     163,892

Termination for good reason

    90,000     36,000         8,442     29,450     163,892

Termination following a change in control

    90,000     36,000         8,442     29,450     163,892

Change in control (3)

                       

(1)   The value of option vesting acceleration shown in the table above was calculated by multiplying the number of shares subject to each accelerated option by the difference between the fair market value of our common stock as of December 31, 2006 and the exercise price of the option. We assumed that the fair market value of our common stock as of December 31, 2006 was $13.00, which represents the mid-point of the range of the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.
(2)   Mr. Parvez’s severance payment is payable 50% on the date of termination and 50% on the date that is six months later.
(3)   Assumes stock options are not assumed, or equivalent rights substituted, by the successor corporation.
(4)   Because Mr. Weissman was not employed by us prior to December 31, 2006, the estimated amount of payments and benefits have been determined based on the assumption that his employment was terminated as of September 30, 2007.
(5)   Benefits shown are also provided upon the closing of this offering.

Employee benefits plans

2007 Stock Incentive Plan

Our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, or 2007 Plan, was adopted by our board of directors and approved by our stockholders in August 2007.

The 2007 Plan permits us to make grants of incentive stock options, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, to our employees and any parent and subsidiary corporation’s employees, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards and bonus shares to our employees, directors and consultants and our parent and subsidiary corporation’s employees and consultants. These are referred to in the 2007 Plan as “awards.”

We reserved 2,307,692 shares of our common stock for the issuance of awards under the 2007 Plan. This number is subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split, stock dividend or other change in our


 

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capitalization. Under certain circumstances, shares that are the subject of a previously-issued award can become available again for future grants under the 2007 Plan. As of September 30, 2007, no awards were outstanding under the 2007 Plan. The board of directors has approved the grant of an option to purchase 107,692 shares of our common stock to Raja Parvez upon the closing of this offering, at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price. One-half of the total option shares will vest upon the closing of this offering with the remainder vesting ratably on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant.

Plan administration.      The 2007 Plan is administered by a committee appointed by the board of directors. The board of directors may appoint different committees to administer the 2007 Plan for different groups of persons eligible to receive awards. The board of directors may also delegate all or part of the committee’s duties to our chief executive officer, including the granting of awards, for awards to individuals other than (i) officers covered by Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (relating to certain reporting requirements and short-swing profits disgorgement provisions of the US securities laws), or (ii) our officers who are “covered employees” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code (relating to certain limitations on our federal income tax deduction for compensation paid to “covered employees”) (discussed below).

If the committee desires that the awards granted to our officers who are “covered employees” qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code (Code Section 162(m) generally limits a company’s deduction for compensation paid to any covered employee to $1,000,000 annually, subject to certain exceptions, including an exception for “performance-based compensation”), the committee must be comprised of two or more directors who qualify as “outside directors” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. If the committee desires that the grants of awards to our officers who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act be exempt under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act from application of the short-swing profits liability provisions of Section 16, the committee must be comprised of two or more directors who qualify as “non-employee directors” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act. If required by the rule of any stock exchange, the 2007 Plan will be administered by “independent directors”, as defined by any applicable rule.

The committee has full power and authority to select the eligible persons to whom awards will be granted, to make any combination of awards to the persons selected, to accelerate the exercisability or vesting of any award and to determine the specific terms and conditions of each award, subject to the provisions of the 2007 Plan.

Eligibility.     The committee may grant awards to our officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants. However, incentive stock options may be granted only to employees. There are certain annual limits on the number or amount of awards that may be granted under the 2007 Plan. No awards covering more than 200,000 shares of common stock may be granted to any one individual during any single calendar year (including awards that are denominated with reference to our common stock that may be payable in cash). In addition, the maximum amount of awards denominated in cash (including awards that are denominated in cash that may be payable in shares of common stock) that may be granted to any one individual in any single year is $2,400,000.

Options.     Options to purchase our common stock may be granted under our 2007 Plan. The exercise price of options awarded under the 2007 Plan may not be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the option grant. The term of each option may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The committee will specify in the option agreement at what time or times each option may be exercised, including the period of time after disability, death, or other termination of employment during which options that have become exercisable may be exercised.

 


 

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To qualify as incentive options, options must meet additional federal tax requirements, including a $100,000 limit on the value of shares subject to incentive options which first become exercisable in any one calendar year, and a shorter term and higher minimum exercise price in the case of certain large stockholders.

Stock appreciation rights.     Stock appreciation rights may be granted under our 2007 Plan. Stock appreciation rights allow the recipient to receive the appreciation in the fair market value of our common stock between the exercise date and the date of grant. The committee determines the terms of the stock appreciation rights granted, including when such rights become exercisable and whether to pay the increased appreciation in cash or with shares of our common stock, or a combination thereof.

Restricted stock.     Restricted stock may be granted under our 2007 Plan. Restricted stock awards are shares of our common stock issued to an employee or other service provider that vest in accordance with terms and conditions established by the committee. The committee will determine the number of shares of restricted stock granted to any employee or other service provider. The committee may impose whatever conditions to vesting it determines to be appropriate and may grant restricted stock without requiring the payment of any purchase price. For example, the committee may set restrictions based on continuous employment and (or) the achievement of specific performance goals. Shares of restricted stock that do not vest are forfeited. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable restricted stock agreement, the recipient of a restricted stock award has all the rights of a stockholder of our common stock, including the right to vote shares and the right to receive any cash dividends.

Restricted stock units.     Our 2007 Plan also permits us to grant restricted stock units. A restricted stock unit is a contingent right to receive a share of our common stock in the future in accordance with terms and conditions established by the committee. The committee will determine the number of shares of restricted stock granted to any employee or other service provider and the conditions under which the restricted stock units will vest. The committee may impose vesting conditions based on continuous employment and (or) the achievement of specific performance goals. Restricted stock units that do not vest are forfeited.

Dividend equivalents may be granted with respect to restricted stock units under our 2007 Plan. A dividend equivalent entitles the recipient to an amount equal to the dividend payable on the shares underlying a grant of restricted stock units. Dividend equivalents are credited as additional restricted stock units as of the date on which a dividend on our common stock is paid and are subject to the same terms and conditions and to the same payment provisions as the restricted stock units to which they relate.

Performance awards.     Our 2007 Plan also permits us to grant performance awards. A performance award is a right to receive a payment that is contingent upon the attainment of one or more performance objectives established by the committee for a performance period. A performance award may be denominated in cash or in shares of our common stock. The committee will determine the number of performance awards granted to any employee or other service provider, the length of the performance period, the performance objectives, the formula for determining the amount earned under the performance award, any related forfeiture conditions, and any other terms and conditions that it determines to establish.

Bonus shares.     Our 2007 Plan also permits us to grant bonus shares to employees, directors and consultants. A bonus share is a grant of common stock to an employee, director or consultant without any payment from the recipient and without any restrictions, in recognition of past performance or as an incentive to become an employee or to provide services to us or any of our subsidiaries.

 


 

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Non-transferability.     Our 2007 Plan does not allow for the transfer of restricted stock units and performance awards. Only the recipient of an option or stock appreciation right may exercise the option or stock appreciation right during his or her lifetime. A recipient of restricted stock may not transfer the restricted stock until the restrictions established by the committee in connection with the grant have lapsed. A recipient of bonus shares may not transfer the bonus shares until they have actually been delivered. The committee may impose any additional restrictions on the transfer of common shares delivered in payment of an award that it deems appropriate. The committee may approve exceptions to the transfer restrictions for restricted stock, option and stock appreciation right awards.

Designation of awards as performance-based compensation.     The committee may designate awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units or performance awards as intended to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Awards so qualified are not subject to the $1,000,000 federal annual deduction limit that applies to compensation paid by a company to each of its “covered employees” (generally, a company’s chief executive officer and its four highest compensated executive officers). If the committee intends an award to qualify an award as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, additional requirements apply to such awards, including a requirement that only one or more of the performance factors set forth in the plan may constitute the performance objectives for the award. Additionally, the committee can have no discretion to increase the award above the amount payable under the award for any given level of performance. Stock options and stock appreciation rights will generally by their terms qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

Cancellation and rescission.     The 2007 Plan also provides that unless the applicable award agreement provides otherwise, the committee may cancel any unvested, unexercised or unpaid award if the recipient is not in compliance with the terms of the award agreement and the 2007 Plan, or if the award recipient has engaged in any adverse conduct. In addition, the 2007 Plan provides that unless the applicable award agreement provides otherwise, for a period of two years following the exercise, payment or delivery of an award, the committee may rescind the award upon its determination that the recipient has engaged in adverse conduct prior to the delivery of the award or during the two-year rescission period.

Change in control.     Our 2007 Plan provides that in the event of our change in control, as defined in the 2007 Plan, each outstanding award will be treated as the committee determines, including that the successor corporation or its parent or subsidiary will assume or substitute an equivalent award for each outstanding award. The committee is not required to treat all awards similarly. If there is no assumption or substitution of outstanding awards, the award recipient will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding options and stock appreciation rights, all restrictions on restricted stock and restricted stock units will lapse and all performance goals or other vesting requirements for performance awards will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions will be deemed met. If an option or stock appreciation right is not assumed or substituted, the committee will provide notice to the award recipient that the option or stock appreciation right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of time determined by the committee in its discretion, and the option or stock appreciation right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

Prior to the issuance of any shares of common stock in settlement of an award under the 2007 Plan, the committee may require an award holder to satisfy conditions relating to the issuance of shares that the committee deems necessary.

Our 2007 Plan will automatically terminate in 2017, unless we terminate it sooner. In addition, our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate the 2007 Plan, provided such action does not impair the rights of any participant.


 

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The 2007 Plan is unfunded; any obligations relating to the 2007 Plan constitute unfunded, unsecured obligations of Rubicon.

2001 Equity Plan

Our 2001 Equity Plan, or 2001 Plan, was adopted by our board of directors on July 30, 2001 and approved by our stockholders on August 2, 2001. Our board of directors has determined not to grant any additional awards under the 2001 Plan after the completion of this offering. However, the 2001 Plan will continue to govern the terms and conditions of the outstanding awards granted under it. The 2001 Plan permits us to make grants of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, and stock purchase rights.

Shares authorized.     We have reserved a total of 1,420,991 shares of our common stock for the issuance of awards under the 2001 Plan. This number is subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split, stock dividend or other change in our capitalization.

If an option or stock purchase right expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full or is surrendered pursuant to an option exchange program, the unpurchased shares will again become available for future grant or sale under the 2001 Plan. Shares that have actually been issued under the 2001 Plan are not available for reissuance under the 2001 Plan unless such shares are repurchased by us. As of September 30, 2007, after giving effect to the cancellation of certain options, there remain 21,878 shares available under the 2001 Plan for future awards. However, the board of directors has determined not to grant any additional options to purchase common stock under the 2001 Plan.

Administrative committee.     The administrator of our 2001 Plan is either the board of directors or any of its committees or any delegate of the board or of the committee appointed by the board of directors. The 2001 Plan may be administered by different committees for different groups of person eligible to receive awards.

If the administrator determines it to be desirable that the awards granted to our officers who are “covered employees” qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code (Code Section 162(m) generally limits a company’s deduction for compensation paid to any “covered employee” to $1,000,000 annually, subject to certain exceptions, including an exception for “performance-based compensation”), the committee must be comprised of two or more directors who qualify as “outside directors” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. If the administrator desires that the grants of awards to our officers who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act be exempt under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act from application of the short-swing profits liability provisions of Section 16, the administrator must be a committee comprised of two or more directors who qualify as “non-employee directors” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.

The administrator has full power and authority to select the persons to whom awards will be granted, to make any combination of awards to the persons selected, to accelerate the exercisability or vesting of any award and to determine the specific terms and conditions of each award, subject to the provisions of the 2001 Plan.

Eligibility.     The administrator may grant non-qualified options and stock purchase rights to our officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants. However, incentive stock options may be granted only to employees.

 


 

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Options.     Options may be granted under our 2001 Plan. The exercise price of incentive stock options awarded under the 2001 Plan may not be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the option grant. The term of each option may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The Committee will specify in the option agreement at what time or times each option may be exercised, including the period of time after disability, death, or other termination of employment during which options that have become exercisable may be exercised.

To qualify as incentive options, stock options must meet additional federal tax requirements, including a $100,000 limit on the value of shares subject to incentive options which first become exercisable in any one calendar year, and a shorter term and higher minimum exercise price in the case of certain large stockholders.

Stock purchase rights.     Our 2001 Plan also provides for stock purchase rights. The grant of a stock purchase right represents an offer to an employee, director or consultant of ours to acquire our common stock on the terms and conditions established by the administrator, subject to the 2001 Plan. The administrator may offer stock purchase rights without a requirement that the recipient tender any purchase price for the shares offered. Unless the administrator determines otherwise, the restricted stock purchase agreement that memorializes a stock purchase right will grant us a repurchase option for the common stock that is exercisable upon the termination of the stock purchase right recipient’s employment or service with us. Once a stock purchase right is exercised, the purchaser has the rights of a stockholder of our common stock.

Non-transferability.     Unless the administrator provides otherwise, our 2001 Plan does not allow for the transfer of stock purchase rights and only the recipient of an option or stock purchase right may exercise the option or stock purchase right during his or her lifetime.

Dissolution, liquidation, merger, reorganization or sale.     Our 2001 Plan provides for the following in the event of a dissolution, merger, reorganization or sale:

 

Ø  

In the event of any proposed dissolution or liquidation, the administrator may provide holders of outstanding options with a 10-day period in which to exercise all outstanding options and may provide for the lapse of any Company repurchase option right.

 

Ø  

In the event of any merger, consolidation or similar reorganization in which the outstanding options and stock purchase rights will not be assumed or an equivalent option or right is not substituted by the successor entity, the options and stock purchase rights will fully vest and become exercisable for a period of 15 days, after which, the unexercised options and stock purchase rights will terminate.

Prior to the issuance of any shares of common stock in settlement of an award under the 2001 Plan, the committee may require an award holder to satisfy conditions relating to the issuance of shares that the committee deems necessary.

Our 2001 Plan will automatically terminate in 2011, unless we terminate it sooner. In addition, our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend, or terminate the 2001 Plan, provided such action does not impair the rights of any participant.

The 2001 Plan is unfunded; any obligations relating to the 2001 Plan constitute unfunded, unsecured obligations of Rubicon.


 

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Limitation on liability and indemnity

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will be in effect upon the completion of this offering, contains provisions that limit or eliminate the liability of our directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Consequently, our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as a director, except liability for:

 

Ø  

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

Ø  

any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

Ø  

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases, redemptions or other distributions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or

 

Ø  

any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Our amended and restated bylaws, which will be in effect upon the completion of this offering, provide that we are required to indemnify our directors and officers, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that we are obligated to advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding and permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising our of his or her actions in that capacity regardless of whether we would otherwise be permitted to indemnify him or her under the provisions of Delaware law. We have entered into agreements and intend to continue to enter into agreements to indemnify our executive officers and directors. With certain exceptions, these agreements provide for indemnification for related expenses including, among other things, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any of these individuals in any action or proceeding for which indemnification is available. We believe these bylaw provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers. We also maintain directors’ and officer’s insurance.

The limitation of liability provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the indemnification provisions in our amended and restated bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors and officers for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and our stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers as required by these indemnification provisions. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers, or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

At present, other than as described in “Business-legal proceedings”, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification.


 

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Certain relationships and related party transactions

POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR REVIEW, APPROVAL OR RATIFICATION

We recognize that transactions between Rubicon and related persons present a potential for actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Our general policies with respect to such transactions are included in our Code of Business Conduct & Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) which is administered by our audit committee. All employees and members of our board of directors agree to be bound by the Code of Ethics. As a supplement to the Code of Ethics, the audit committee adopted a policy setting out the procedures and standards to be followed for the identification and evaluation of “related party transactions.” For purposes of the policy, a related party transaction is any transaction or series of related transactions in excess of $120,000 in which we are a party and in which a “related person” has a material interest. Related persons include our directors, director nominees, executive officers, beneficial owners of 5% or more of any class of our voting securities and members of their immediate families. The audit committee has determined that certain transactions are deemed to be pre-approved under this policy. These include (i) transactions with another company in which the related person’s only interest is as a director or beneficial owner of less than 10% of the equity interests in that other company and (ii) certain compensation arrangements that have either been disclosed in our public filings with the SEC or approved by our compensation committee.

We collect information about potential related party transactions in our annual questionnaires completed by directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of 5% or more of any class of our voting securities. Potential related party transactions are first reviewed and assessed by our corporate secretary to consider the materiality of the transactions and then reported to the audit committee. If a related party transaction is identified during the year, it is reported promptly to the audit committee. The audit committee reviews and considers all relevant information available to it about each related party transaction. A related party transaction is approved or ratified only if the audit committee determines that it is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best interests and those of our stockholders and is in compliance with the Code of Ethics.

The following related party transactions have been ratified by the audit committee in accordance with the policy described above. We believe that we have executed all of the transactions set forth below on terms no less favorable to us than we could have obtained from unaffiliated third parties.

Private placements of securities

From January 2004 through December 2006, we issued certain series of preferred stock to investors and exchanged certain series of preferred stock for other series of preferred stock. Such transactions, including the original issuances of securities exchanged by the investors, are described as follows:

 

Ø  

From May 2002 to August 2003, we issued and sold an aggregate of 25,446,430 shares of our Series B preferred stock at a price per share of $0.56 and warrants to purchase 2,439,730 shares of Series B preferred stock, for an aggregate purchase price for the shares and warrants of $14,250,000.

 

Ø  

From May to December 2004, we issued and sold an aggregate of 16,049,570 shares of our Series C preferred stock at a price per share of approximately $0.76 and warrants to purchase 131,096 shares of Series C preferred stock, for an aggregate purchase price for the shares and warrants of approximately $12,242,612.

 

Ø  

In June 2005, we issued and sold an aggregate of 6,123,619 shares of our Series D preferred stock at a price per share of approximately $0.83, for an aggregate purchase price of $5,000,000.


 

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Ø  

From December 2005 through December 2006, we issued and sold an aggregate of 46,681,517 shares of our Series E preferred stock at a price per share of approximately $0.28 and warrants to purchase 6,790,802 shares of Series E preferred stock, for an aggregate purchase price for the shares and warrants of approximately $13,088,133.

 

Ø  

Simultaneously with the sale and issuance of the Series E preferred stock in December 2005, 14,001,191 shares of our Series B preferred stock were exchanged for 14,001,191 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock; 12,693,013 shares of our Series C preferred stock were exchanged for 12,693,013 shares of Series C-2 preferred stock, 5,258,432 shares of Series D preferred stock were exchanged for 5,258,432 shares of Series D-2 preferred stock and warrants to purchase 647,379 shares of Series B preferred stock were amended to provide for the purchase of 647,379 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock.

All of our outstanding shares of preferred stock will automatically convert into shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering.

The following table summarizes the above described issuances of our preferred stock and warrants to purchase preferred stock by our directors, executive officers, entities affiliated with such persons and holders of more than 5% of any class of our outstanding voting securities:

 

Purchaser         Series B and
Series B-2
preferred
stock and
warrants
    Series C and
Series C-2
preferred
stock
  Series D and
Series D-2
preferred
stock
  Series E
preferred
stock and
warrants
 
Funds affiliated with Cross Atlantic Capital Partners (1)(2)   Shares purchased     6,491,687 (3)     10,366,137     3,256,147     39,367,388 (4)
  Amount paid   $ 3,502,575     $ 7,907,289   $ 2,685,130   $ 10,069,503  
         
Funds affiliated Gazelle TechVentures (1)(5)   Shares purchased     6,650,187 (6)     1,731,213     438,347     6,656,352 (7)
  Amount paid   $ 3,588,092     $ 1,320,570   $ 364,355   $ 1,666,509  
Funds affiliated with KB Partners (8)   Shares purchased     7,315,197 (9)     2,244,199     507,205     1,958,995  
  Amount paid   $ 3,946,898     $ 1,711,875   $ 415,565   $ 549,694  
Michael E Mikolajczyk (1)(10)   Shares purchased           189,953     60,153     130,285  
  Amount paid   $     $ 144,896   $ 50,000   $ 36,556  

(1)   In December 2005, certain of the issued and outstanding Series B, Series C and Series D preferred stock were exchanged, on a one-for-one basis, into shares of Series B-2, Series C-2 and Series D-2 preferred stock, respectively.
(2)   Donald R Caldwell, a member of our board of directors, is a director of and owns 100% of Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc., the appointed “investment manager” for Cross Atlantic Technology Fund, L.P., Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II, L.P. and the Co-Investment 2000 Fund, L.P., the purchasers of the securities shown in the table above. Mr. Caldwell and Brian Adamsky, a former member of our board of directors, are sometimes identified as managing directors of Cross Atlantic Technology Fund, L.P. Mr. Caldwell is also a limited partner of Cross Atlantic Technology Fund, L.P. and a limited partner of its general partner. Messrs. Caldwell and Adamsky are limited partners of the general partner of Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II, L.P. and are sometimes identified as managing directors of Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II, L.P. Mr. Caldwell is a limited partner of the general partner of the Co-Investment 2000 Fund, L.P. and Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Adamsky are sometimes identified as managing directors of the Co-Investment 2000 Fund, L.P.

(footnotes continued on following page)


 

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(3)   Includes warrants to purchase 237,088 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock.
(4)   Includes warrants to purchase 3,481,777 shares of Series E preferred stock.
(5)   Don N Aquilano, the chairman of our board of directors, is the managing director and president of Gazelle Tech Ventures, Inc., the manager of the general partner of Gazelle Tech Ventures, L.P. and the Gazelle Co-Investment Fund, L.P., the purchasers of the securities shown in the table above.
(6)   Includes warrants to purchase 242,880 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock.
(7)   Includes warrants to purchase 716,932 shares of Series E preferred stock.
(8)   Byron A Denenberg, a former member of our board of directors, is a partner of KB Partners Venture Fund II, L.P. and KB Partners Affiliates Fund II, L.P., the purchasers of the securities shown in the table above.
(9)   Includes warrants to purchase 267,164 shares of Series B preferred stock.
(10)   Mr. Mikolajczyk is a member of our board of directors.

Registration rights agreement

We have granted registration rights to holders of our preferred stock pursuant to an amended and restated registration rights agreement, dated November 2005. See “Description of capital stock—Registration rights.”

Stockholders agreements

We have entered into certain stockholders agreements dated June 2005 and November 2005. These agreements contain provisions concerning the composition of our board of directors, among other things. Pursuant to these agreements, the holders of a majority of: (1) our Series A preferred stock have the right to designate one member to our board of directors; (2) our Series B preferred stock have the right to designate two members to our board of directors; (3) our Series C and Series D preferred stock, voting together, have the right to designate one member to our board of directors; (4) all series of preferred stock, voting together, have the right to designate two members to our board of directors; and (5) our common stock have the right to designate one member to our board of directors. These stockholders agreements will automatically terminate on the closing of this offering.

Stock purchase agreements

In connection with our private placements of securities, we entered into various stock purchase agreements with our investors. Under the terms of the purchase agreements for the Series B, Series C, Series D and Series E preferred stock, any investor holding at least 250,000 shares of a series of preferred stock has the right to designate one representative to attend any meeting of our board of directors as an observer and that representative would be entitled to receive notices, proposed written consents of the board of directors and board meeting materials in the same manner as the members of our board of directors. These rights to designate observers will automatically terminate on the closing of this offering.

Voting agreements

As of August 29, 2007, certain of our stockholders entered into two voting agreements related to the rights to designate members of our board of directors. One voting agreement is among KB Partners Venture Fund II, L.P, (the “KB Fund”) and the other holders of our Series B preferred stock (the “KB Voting Agreement”). The other voting agreement is among Cross Atlantic Technology Fund, L.P., Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II, L.P., The Co-Investment 2000 Fund, L.P. and the other holders of each series of our preferred stock. Under the voting agreements, KB Fund and Cross Atlantic Funds will each


 

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have the right to designate a director of its choice if this offering is not consummated by June 30, 2008. In addition, the KB Voting Agreement provides that KB Fund will have the right to designate a representative to attend our board meetings as an observer prior to, and after completion of, this offering. Other than KB Fund’s right to designate a representative to attend our board meetings as an observer after completion of this offering, these voting agreements will automatically terminate on the closing of this offering.

Employment and severance arrangements with executive officers

We have entered into employment and severance arrangements with our executive officers as described under the caption “Executive compensation—Employment and severance arrangements.”

Indemnification agreements

We have entered and expect to continue to enter into agreements to indemnify our directors and executive officers. For a description of these agreements, see “Executive compensation—Limitation on liability and indemnity.”

Facility lease

We lease one of our manufacturing and office facilities from Radion Mogilevsky and his wife, Nanette Mogilevsky. The lease expires on July 31, 2010. The rent under the lease is currently $11,236 per month and is subject to annual increases of six percent on each August 1st during the lease term. We have a right of first refusal under the lease to purchase the facility if the Mogilevskys receive a purchase offer that they wish to accept from an unrelated third party. Mr. Mogilevsky currently holds greater than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, which is less than 1% of our fully-diluted capitalization. Upon completion of this offering, Mr. Mogilevsky will no longer hold greater than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.


 

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Principal and selling stockholders

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of October 31, 2007, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of common stock offered by us in this offering, for:

 

Ø  

each beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;

 

Ø  

each of our named executive officers;

 

Ø  

each of our directors;

 

Ø  

all of our executive officers and directors as a group; and

 

Ø  

all selling stockholders.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Except as described below, in computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to options or warrants held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of October 31, 2007 are deemed outstanding but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to such securities. Except as otherwise indicated, all of the shares reflected in the table are shares of common stock and all persons listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.

Ownership calculations are based on 13,891,387 shares outstanding as of October 31, 2007, after giving effect to the 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock effected as of August 30, 2007, assuming the conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into an aggregate of 9,791,208 shares of common stock, the issuance of 3,526,734 shares of common stock in satisfaction of dividends that have accrued on the outstanding shares of our preferred stock through October 31, 2007, the conversion of outstanding preferred stock warrants into common stock warrants, the automatic net exercise of those warrants that expire on the closing of this offering and the assumed net exercise of warrants by two selling stockholders, based on an assumed fair market value of one share of our common stock at the time of exercise equal to $13.00, which is the midpoint of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus. For the purposes of the table below, we have assumed that 5,500,000 shares of common stock will be sold by us in the offering.


 

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Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each of the beneficial owners in the table below is c/o Rubicon Technology, Inc., 9931 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Park, Illinois 60131.

 

    

Shares beneficially
owned prior to

the offering

    Number of
shares
offered
   Shares beneficially
owned after the
offering
 
Name of beneficial owner    Number    Percent        Number    Percent  

5% stockholders and affiliates:

             

Cross Atlantic Technology Fund, L.P. (1)(2)

   983,589    7.08 %      983,589    5.07 %

Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II, L.P. (1)(3)

   3,427,985    24.45 %      3,427,985    17.56 %

The Co-Investment 2000 Fund, L.P. (1)(4)

   3,860,097    27.45 %      3,860,097    19.73 %

Gazelle TechVentures, Inc. (5)

   2,543,271    18.19 %   354,745    2,188,526    11.23 %

KB Partners Funds (6)

   1,372,246    9.86 %      1,372,246    7.07 %

Executive officers and directors:

             

Raja M Parvez (7)

   551,790    3.82 %      551,790    2.77 %

William F Weissman

      *           *  

Hap R Hewes (8)

   53,076    *        53,076    *  

Don N Aquilano (9)

   2,543,271    18.19 %   354,745    2,188,526    11.23 %

Donald R Caldwell (10)

   8,271,671    58.27 %      8,271,671    42.00 %

Gordon Hunter (11)

   5,610    *        5,610    *  

Michael E Mikolajczyk (12)

   69,184    *        69,184    *  

All executive officers and directors as a group (13)

   12,866,848    86.21 %   354,745    12,512,103    61.27 %

Other selling stockholders:

             

Adams, Harkness & Hill Entrepreneur’s Fund, LP (14)

   63,845    *     8,929    54,916    *  

Adams, Harkness & Hill Technology Ventures IA, LP (15)

   314,804    2.26 %   43,984    270,820    1.40 %

Adams, Harkness & Hill Technology Ventures, LP (16)

   146,470    1.05 %   20,464    126,006    *  

Anthony Abbattista 2000 Declaration of Trust (17)

   6,791    *     6,791       *  

Melvyn E Bergstein

   27,164    *     27,164       *  

Shevlin J Ciral

   23,123    *     11,562    11,561    *  

DeForest Davis

   18,448    *     6,159    12,289    *  

Michael DeCuyper

   3,396    *     3,396       *  

Mary Joan Doyle-Carson

   7,755    *     1,938    5,817    *  

Gordon & Glickson Liquidating Trust (18)

   6,112    *     6,112       *  

Adam J Gutstein

   3,396    *     3,396       *  

Mark L Gordon Estate, 23-44732 (19)

   3,236    *     3,236       *  

Alan Matsamura

   6,791    *     6,791       *  

Stephen C Mitchell

   18,448    *     7,959    10,489    *  

Radion Mogilevsky (20)

   57,560    *     25,000    32,560    *  

Radion Mogilevsky as Custodian for Casey Mogilevsky under the Illinois Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (21)

   7,692    *     3,800    3,892    *  

Daniel Nekich

   8,329    *     900    7,429    *  

River Cities Capital Fund II, Limited Partnership (22)

   121,410    *     120,052    104    *  

(footnotes on following page)

 


 

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Shares beneficially
owned prior to

the offering

    Number of
shares
offered
   Shares beneficially
owned after the
offering
Name of beneficial owner    Number    Percent        Number    Percent

River Cities SBIC III, L.P. (23)

        520,868      3.75 %   515,430                418    *

Bruce Rylance (24)

   15,252    *     6,791    8,461    *

Samuel J Talucci

   7,278    *     1,819    5,459    *

Steven R VanErmen

   6,791    *     6,791       *

Thomas Weakland

   6,791    *     6,791       *

*   Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock.

Notes:

 

(1)   Cross Atlantic Technology Fund, L.P. (“Cross Atlantic Technology Fund”), Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II, L.P. (“Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II”) and The Co-Investment 2000 Fund, L.P. (the “Co-Investment Fund”) are limited partnerships in the business of venture capital investing. Each of these funds has appointed Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc. as its investment manager. Donald R Caldwell, a member of our board of directors, is a director of and owns 100% of Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc. The address for each of these entities is Five Radnor Corporate Center, Suite 555, 100 Matsonford Road, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087.
(2)   Represents 976,127 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Cross Atlantic Technology Fund and warrants to purchase 7,462 shares of our common stock, which are immediately exercisable. XATF Management, L.P. (“XATF Management”) is the general partner of Cross Atlantic Technology Fund. Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc. is the general partner of XATF Management. Mr. Caldwell, Gerry McCrory, Brian Adamsky, Richard Fox, Frederick Tecce and Hazel Cameron are officers of Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Inc., are sometimes identified as managing directors of Cross Atlantic Technology Fund and may be deemed to share voting and investment power with respect to all shares held by Cross Atlantic Technology Fund.
(3)   Represents 3,299,982 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II and warrants to purchase 128,003 shares of common stock, which are immediately exercisable. XATF Management II, L.P. (“XATF Management II”) is the general partner of Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II. Cross Atlantic Capital Partners II, Inc. is the general partner of XATF Management II. Mr. Caldwell is a director, shareholder and officer of Cross Atlantic Capital Partners II. Gerry McCrory, Brian Adamsky, Richard Fox, Frederick Tecce and Hazel Cameron are officers of Cross Atlantic Capital Partners II, and together with Mr. Caldwell, are sometimes identified as managing directors of Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II and may be deemed to share voting and investment power with respect to all shares held by Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II.
(4)   Represents 3,691,342 shares of common stock beneficially owned by The Co-Investment Fund and warrants to purchase 168,755 shares of common stock, which are immediately exercisable. The general partner of The Co-Investment Fund is Co-Invest Management, L.P. (“Co-Invest Management”). Co-Invest Capital Partners, Inc. (“Co-Invest Capital”) is the general partner of Co-Invest Management. Donald R Caldwell is a shareholder, director and officer of Co-Invest Capital. Messrs. Adamsky, Fox, McCrory and Tecce and Ms. Cameron are officers of Co-Invest Capital and Messrs. Caldwell, Fox and Tecce are sometimes identified as managing directors of The Co-Investment Fund. Messrs. Caldwell, Adamsky, Fox, McCrory and Tecce and Ms. Cameron may be deemed to share voting and investment power with respect to all shares held by The Co-Investment Fund.
(5)   Includes 2,339,627 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Gazelle TechVentures Fund, L.P. and 111,216 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Gazelle Co-Investment Fund, L.P.

(footnotes continued on following page)


 

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(collectively, the “Gazelle Funds”). Includes warrants to purchase 88,237 shares of common stock, which are held by Gazelle TechVentures Fund, L.P. and are immediately exercisable and warrants to purchase 4,191 shares of common stock, which are held by Gazelle Co-Investment Fund, L.P. and are immediately exercisable. Gazelle TechVentures Fund, L.P. has agreed to sell 338,647 shares of its common stock and Gazelle Co-Investment Fund, L.P. has agreed to sell 16,098 shares of its common stock in the offering. Don N Aquilano, the chairman of our board, is the managing director and president of Gazelle TechVentures, Inc., the manager of Monument Technology Partners, LLC, which is the general partner of the Gazelle Funds. Mr. Aquilano may be deemed to have sole voting and investment power as to the shares and warrants beneficially owned by the Gazelle Funds. The address for the Gazelle Funds is: Gazelle TechVentures, Inc., 11611 North Meridian Street, Suite 310, Carmel, Indiana 46032, Attention: Don N Aquilano.

(6)   Includes 1,311,201 shares of common stock beneficially owned by KB Partners Venture Fund II, L.P. and 40,495 shares of common stock beneficially owned by KB Partners Affiliates Fund II, L.P. (collectively the “KB Partners Funds”). Includes warrants to purchase 19,922 shares of common stock, which are held by KB Partners Venture Fund II, L.P. and are immediately exercisable and warrants to purchase 628 shares of common stock, which are held by KB Partners Affiliates Fund II, L.P. and are immediately exercisable. Voting and investment power over the shares and warrants beneficially owned by KB Partners Funds is shared equally among four partners, Byron A Denenberg, Keith D Bank, Robert A Garber and Robert M Zieserl. Messrs. Denenberg, Bank, Garber and Zieserl disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held by the KB Partners Funds, except to the extent of their proportionate pecuniary interests therein. The address for the KB Partners Funds is: KB Partners, LLC, 1101 Skokie Blvd., Suite 260, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, Attention: Byron Denenberg.
(7)   Represents an option to purchase 351,790 shares of common stock, which is immediately exercisable. Also represents 200,000 shares owned by The Parvez Family 2007 Irrevocable Trust, dated October 17, 2007, for the benefit of Mr. Parvez’s children. Mr. Parvez disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to such shares owned by the named trust.
(8)   Represents an option to purchase 53,076 shares of common stock, which is exercisable within 60 days of October 31, 2007.
(9)   Represents shares held by the Gazelle Funds. See footnote (5) above for a description of Mr. Aquilano’s relationship with the Gazelle Funds.
(10)   Represents shares held by Cross Atlantic Technology Fund, L.P., Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II, L.P. and The Co-Investment Fund 2000 L.P. See footnotes (1) through (4) above for a description of the relationship among Mr. Caldwell and Cross Atlantic Technology Fund, L.P., Cross Atlantic Technology Fund II, L.P. and The Co-Investment Fund 2000 L.P.
(11)   Represents 1,500 shares of common stock and an option to purchase 4,110 shares of common stock, which is exercisable within 60 days of October 31, 2007.
(12)   Represents 60,896 shares of common stock. Includes an option to purchase 8,221 shares of common stock held by Michael Mikolajczyk and an option to purchase 67 shares of common stock held by his son, Mark Mikolajczyk, each of which are exercisable within 60 days of October 31, 2007. Michael Mikolajczyk disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares underlying the option held by Mark Mikolajczyk.
(13)   Includes 11,832,386 shares of common stock which are beneficially owned by our named executive officers and directors, warrants to purchase 417,198 shares of our common stock, which are exercisable within 60 days of October 31, 2007 and options to purchase 617,264 shares of our common stock, which are exercisable within 60 days of October 31, 2007.
(14)   Includes 59,527 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Adams, Harkness & Hill Entrepreneur’s Fund, LP (“AHHEF”). Includes warrants to purchase 4,318 shares of common stock, which are held by AHHEF and are immediately exercisable. Thomas Palmer may be deemed to have sole voting and investment power as to the shares and warrants beneficially owned by

(footnotes continued on following page)


 

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AHHEF. Adams Harkness Technology Group, LP (“AHTG”) is a limited partner of Adams Harkness & Hill Technology Venture Partners, L.P. (the “GPLP”), the general partner of AHHEF. The GPLP is a 1% general partner of AHHEF, and holds an indeterminate interest in AHHEF, based upon AHHEF performance. The partnership interests of AHTG are held by employees and former employees of Canaccord Adams Inc., an NASD member and underwriter in this offering. Adams Harkness Asset Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AHAM”) is a limited partner of the GPLP. AHAM also holds 50% of the 1% general partner of GPLP. The shareholders of AHAM are employees and former employees of Canaccord Adams Inc. The address for AHHEF is c/o Thomas R. Palmer, 99 High Street, Boston, MA 02109.

 

(15)   Includes 293,228 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Adams, Harkness & Hill Technology Ventures 1A, LP (“ATVIA”). Includes warrants to purchase 21,576 shares of common stock, which are held by ATVIA and are immediately exercisable. Thomas Palmer may be deemed to have sole voting and investment power as to the shares and warrants beneficially owned by ATVIA. Adams Harkness Technology Group, LP (“AHTG”) is a limited partner of Adams Harkness & Hill Technology Venture Partners, L.P. (the “GPLP”), the general partner of ATVIA. The GPLP is a 1% general partner of ATVIA, and holds an indeterminate interest in ATVIA, based upon ATVIA performance. The partnership interests of AHTG are held by employees and former employees of Canaccord Adams Inc., an NASD member and underwriter in this offering. Adams Harkness Asset Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AHAM”) is a limited partner of the GPLP. AHAM also holds 50% of the 1% general partner of GPLP. The shareholders of AHAM are employees and former employees of Canaccord Adams Inc. The address for ATVIA is c/o Thomas R. Palmer, 99 High Street, Boston, MA 02109.

 

(16)   Includes 136,433 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Adams, Harkness & Hill Technology Ventures, LP (“AHHTV”). Includes warrants to purchase 10,037 shares of common stock, which are held by AHHTV and are immediately exercisable. Thomas Palmer may be deemed to have sole voting and investment power as to the shares and warrants beneficially owned by AHHTV. AHH Fund Investors 7, LLC (“AHH FI 7”) is a limited partner of AHHTV, and holds approximately 23% of the outstanding limited partnership interests of AHHTV. The membership interests of AHH FI 7 are held by (i) employees and former employees of Canaccord Adams Inc., an NASD member and underwriter in this offering, and (ii) Adams Harkness Asset Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AHAM”). The shareholders of AHAM are employees and former employees of Canaccord Adams Inc. Adams Harkness Technology Group, LP (“AHTG”) is a limited partner of Adams Harkness & Hill Technology Ventures Partners, L.P., the general partner of AHHTV (the “GPLP”). The GPLP is a 1% general partner of AHHTV, and holds an indeterminate interest in AHHTV, based on AHHTV performance. The partnership interests of AHTG are held by employees and former employees of Canaccord Adams Inc. AHAM is a limited partner of AHHTV, and holds approximately 42% of the outstanding limited partnership interests of AHHTV. AHAM is a limited partner of the GPLP, and also holds 50% of the outstanding equity interests of the 1% general partner of the GPLP. The address for AHHTV is c/o Thomas R. Palmer, 99 High Street, Boston, MA 02109.

 

(17)   Anthony Abbattista has the power to vote and dispose of the shares owned by the Anthony Abbattista 2000 Declaration of Trust.

 

(18)   Scott Glickson has the power to vote and dispose of the shares owned by the Gordon & Glickson Liquidating Trust. Mr. Glickson was a partner with Gordon & Glickson LLC and is a partner with McGuireWoods LLP, and has been our counsel for the past three years.

 

(19)   Alan Rutkoff, as executor of the estate of Mark Gordon, has the power to vote and dispose of the shares owned by Mark L. Gordon Estate, 23-44732. Mr. Gordon was a partner in two law firms, Gordon & Glickson LLC and McGuireWoods LLP, which firms served as our counsel during the past three years.

(footnotes continued on following page)


 

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(20)   Radion Mogilevsky receives rent from us for the property located at 9931 W. Franklin Ave, Franklin Park, Illinois in an amount of $134,832 per year for the current year.
(21)   Radion Mogilevsky has the power to vote and dispose of the shares owned by Radion Mogilevsky as Custodian for Casey Mogilevsky under the Illinois Uniform Transfers to Minors Act. Radion Mogilevsky receives rent from us for the property located at 9931 W. Franklin Ave, Franklin Park, Illinois in an amount of $134,832 per year for the current year.
(22)   Includes 119,170 shares of common stock beneficially owned by River Cities Capital Fund II, Limited Partnership. Includes warrants to purchase 2,240 shares of common stock, which are held by River Cities Capital Fund II, Limited Partnership and are immediately exercisable. River Cities Capital Fund II, Limited Partnership has agreed to sell 119,170 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 882 shares of common stock, which is based on the assumed net exercise of its warrants at a fair market value of $12.00 per share, the low end of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus. R. Glen Mayfield has the power to vote and dispose of the shares owned by River Cities Capital Fund II, Limited Partnership. The address for River Cities Capital Fund II, Limited Partnership is 221 East 4th Street, Suite 2400, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
(23)   Includes 511,902 shares of common stock beneficially owned by River Cities SBIC III, L.P. Includes warrants to purchase 8,966 shares of common stock, which are held by River Cities SBIC III, L.P. and are immediately exercisable. River Cities SBIC III, L.P. has agreed to sell 511,902 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 3,528 shares of common stock, which is based on the assumed net exercise of its warrants at a fair market value of $12.00 per share, the low end of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus. R. Glen Mayfield has the power to vote and dispose of the shares owned by River Cities SBIC III, L.P. The address for River Cities SBIC III, L.P. is 221 East 4th Street, Suite 2400, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
(24)   Bruce Rylance was our Senior Vice-President of Sales between March 2004 and January 2006 and served as our Treasurer from 2001 to 2005.

 

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Description of capital stock

GENERAL

Upon completion of this offering, our authorized capital stock will consist of 75.0 million shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 5.0 million shares of undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. The following description of our capital stock is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws to be in effect at the closing of this offering, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part. We refer in this section to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation as our certificate of incorporation, and we refer to our amended and restated bylaws as our bylaws.

As of September 30, 2007, after giving effect to the 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock effected August 30, 2007, we had 521,814 shares of our common stock outstanding, 95,900,146 shares of our preferred stock outstanding, which are convertible into an aggregate of 9,791,208 shares of common stock, options to purchase 1,374,450 shares of our common stock under our 2001 Equity Plan, 718,245 of which were vested, 24,663 outstanding options to purchase common stock issued as compensation to former board members and board advisors, 19,182 of which were vested, and warrants to purchase 11,089,248 shares of preferred stock. Upon the completion of this offering, all shares of our currently outstanding preferred stock will be converted into an aggregate of 9,791,208 shares of common stock. Unless otherwise indicated, the shares of common stock, including any corresponding exercise prices, presented in this section have been adjusted to reflect the 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock effected August 30, 2007.

COMMON STOCK

As of September 30, 2007, there were 13,739,637 shares of our common stock outstanding, assuming the conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into an aggregate of 9,791,208 shares of common stock and the issuance of 3,426,641 shares of common stock in satisfaction of dividends that have accrued on the outstanding shares of our preferred stock. As of September 30, 2007, there were 37 holders of our common stock. After giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into common stock, we will have 89 holders of our common stock.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record for the election of directors and on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends ratably, if any, as may be declared by our board of directors from time to time, subject to any preferential dividend rights of any preferred stock then outstanding. Upon our liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in our remaining assets legally available after the payment of all our debts and other liabilities, subject to the preferential rights of any preferred stock then outstanding. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future. Except as described below in “—Anti-takeover effects of Delaware law and provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws”, a majority vote of common stockholders is generally required to take action under our certificate of incorporation and bylaws.

All outstanding shares of common stock are, and all shares of common stock that will be outstanding upon completion of this offering, will be fully paid and nonassessable.


 

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PREFERRED STOCK

Upon completion of this offering, our board of directors will be authorized, without action by the stockholders, to designate and issue up to 5.0 million shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Our board of directors can fix the rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of each series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions. The issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible future financings and acquisitions and other corporate purposes could, under certain circumstances, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control and could harm the market price of our common stock.

Our board of directors will make any determination to issue such shares based on its judgment as to our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders. We have no current plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

OPTIONS

As of September 30, 2007, we had outstanding options to purchase 1,374,449 shares of common stock under our 2001 Equity Plan, 718,245 of which were vested. These options have an average exercise price of $3.61. The board of directors has approved the grant of an option to purchase 107,692 shares of common stock to Raja Parvez and additional grants to other key employees of options to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares of common stock, in each case effective upon the closing of this offering and at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price. These conditional grants are being made under our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan. As of September 30, 2007, we had 24,663 outstanding options to purchase common stock, which were issued pursuant to stock option agreements, as compensation to board members and board advisors, 19,182 of which were vested. These options have an average exercise price of $4.94.

WARRANTS

As of September 30, 2007, the following warrants were outstanding:

 

Type of warrant    Number of
shares of
common
stock
issuable
upon
exercise of
warrant (1)(2)
   Exercise
price per
share of
common
stock (3)
   Expiration

Series A preferred stock

          9,410    $ 69.1470    May 9, 2008

Series B preferred stock

   31,756    $ 7.2800   

Ø   April 15, 2008 with respect to 206,444 shares of Series B preferred stock

 

Ø   June 10, 2008 with respect to 206,444 shares of Series B preferred stock

Series B preferred stock

   23,693    $ 7.2800   

The later of:

 

Ø   July 28, 2013 with respect to 107,142 shares of Series B preferred stock and July 10, 2012 with respect to 200,893 shares of Series B preferred stock; or

 

Ø   five years from the effective date of this offering.

(footnotes on following page)

 


 

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Type of warrant    Number of
shares of
common
stock
issuable
upon
exercise of
warrant (1)(2)
   Exercise
price per
share of
common
stock (3)
   Expiration

Series B preferred stock

   82,416    $ 7.2800   

The earlier of:

 

Ø  October 24, 2013; or

 

Ø  the effective date of this offering or a merger, consolidation or sale of our company.

Series B-2 preferred stock

   99,377    $ 7.2800   

Ø  April 15, 2008 with respect to 239,984 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock

 

Ø  June 10, 2008 with respect to 239,984 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock

 

Ø  June 19, 2008 with respect to 167,411 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock

Series C preferred stock

   10,271    $ 9.9164   

The earlier of:

 

Ø  March 31, 2015; or

 

Ø  the effective date of this offering or a merger, consolidation or sale of the company.

Series E preferred stock

   522,356    $ 3.6478   

Ø  December 15, 2015 with respect to 3,920,169 shares of Series E preferred stock

 

Ø  December 20, 2015 with respect to 2,459,016 shares of Series E preferred stock

 

Ø  January 27, 2016 with respect to 411,617 shares of Series E preferred stock

Series E preferred stock

   131,586    $ 3.6478   

The earliest of:

 

Ø  April 9, 2014;

 

Ø  three years from the effective date of this offering; or

 

Ø  upon written request of the acquiring company in a consolidation, merger, or sale, upon such terms as set forth in the warrant.

(footnotes on following page)

 


 

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(1)   Gives effect to the 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock effected on August 30, 2007.
(2)   Assumes the warrants are exercisable for shares of our common stock following the conversion of our outstanding preferred stock upon the closing of this offering.
(3)   Assumes the adjustment of the per share exercise price as a result of the 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock effected August 30, 2007.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

After this offering, the holders of an aggregate of 12,201,629 shares of our common stock, after giving effect to our 1 for 13 reverse stock split, or approximately 63% of our common stock outstanding, will be entitled to certain rights with respect to registration of such shares under the Securities Act. These shares are referred to as registrable securities. The holders of registrable securities possess registration rights pursuant to the terms of our fourth amended and restated registration rights agreement, as amended through November 30, 2005, entered into by us and such holders of registrable securities. In addition, the holders of warrants representing the right to purchase an aggregate of 794,636 shares of our common stock have registration rights comparable to those provided under such agreement. The following description of the terms of the fourth amended and restated registration rights agreement is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the fourth amended and restated registration rights agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Demand registration rights.     At any time starting 180 days after the effective date of this offering, subject to certain exceptions, the holders of not less than 25% of the then outstanding registrable shares of common stock, have the right to demand that we file a registration statement covering the offering and sale of their shares of our common stock that are subject to the registration rights agreement. We are not obligated to file such a registration statement on more than two occasions; however, this offering will not count toward that limitation.

Form S-3 registration rights.     If we are eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3, holders of registrable securities anticipated to have an aggregate offering price (net of underwriting discounts and commissions, if any) of less than $500,000 have the right, on one or more occasions, to request registration of such securities on Form S-3.

We have the ability to delay the filing of a registration statement for not more than 90 days under specified conditions, such as for a period of time following the effective date of a prior registration statement or if our board of directors deems it seriously detrimental to us and our stockholders to file a registration statement. Such postponements cannot occur more than once during any twelve month period.

Expenses of registration.     We will pay all registration expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions and stock transfer taxes of holders, related to any demand or piggyback registration.

Indemnification.     The registration rights agreement contains customary cross-indemnification provisions, under which we are obligated to indemnify the selling stockholders in the event of untrue statements or omissions of material facts in the registration statement or violations of securities laws attributable to us, and they are obligated to indemnify us for untrue statements, omissions of material facts or violations of securities laws attributable to them.

Termination of registration rights.     The registration rights terminate at such time as the earlier of (i) all registrable securities may be sold during any three month period with out registration under the


 

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Securities Act; (ii) no registrable securities remain outstanding; or (iii) the fifth anniversary of this offering.

ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF DELAWARE LAW AND PROVISIONS OF OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

Certificate of incorporation and bylaw provisions

Upon completion of this offering, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws will include a number of provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing another party from acquiring control of us and encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with our board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include the items described below.

Board composition and filling vacancies.     Our board is divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms, with one class being elected each year. Directors may be removed only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% or more of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Furthermore, any vacancy on our board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of our board, may only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then in office even if less than a quorum. The classification of our board of directors and the limitations on the removal of directors and filling of vacancies could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, control of our company.

No written consent of stockholders.     All stockholder actions must be taken by a vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting, and stockholders may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting. This limit may lengthen the amount of time required to take stockholder actions and would prevent the amendment of our bylaws or removal of directors by our stockholders without holding a meeting of stockholders.

Meetings of stockholders.     Only a majority of the members of our board of directors then in office may call special meetings of stockholders and only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws limit the business that may be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders to those matters properly brought before the meeting.

Advance notice requirements.     Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of our stockholders. These provisions may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if proper procedures are not followed.

Amendment to certificate of incorporation and bylaws.     As required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, any amendment of our certificate of incorporation must first be approved by a majority of our board of directors, and if required by law or our certificate of incorporation, must thereafter be approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment and a majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, except that the amendment of the provisions relating to stockholder action, board composition and the filling of vacancies, limitation of liability and the amendment of our certificate of incorporation must be approved


 

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by not less than 75% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, and not less than 75% of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class. Our bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, subject to any limitations set forth in the bylaws; and may also be amended by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, or, if our board of directors recommends that the stockholders approve the amendment, by the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment, in each case voting together as a single class.

Undesignated preferred stock.     Our certificate of incorporation provides for 5.0 million authorized shares of preferred stock. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock may enable our board of directors to impede an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. Our certificate of incorporation grants our board of directors broad power to establish the rights and preferences of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of shares of common stock. The issuance may also adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of these holders and may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of us.

Delaware law

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, an anti-takeover provision. In general, the provision prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder. A “business combination” includes a merger, sale of 10% or more of our assets and certain other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the stockholder. For purposes of Section 203, an “interested stockholder” is defined to include any person that is:

 

Ø  

the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation;

 

Ø  

an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the voting stock outstanding of the corporation, at any time within three years immediately prior to the relevant date; or

 

Ø  

an affiliate or associate of the persons described above.

However, the above provisions of Section 203 do not apply if:

 

Ø  

our board of directors approves the transaction that made the stockholder an interested stockholder before to the date of that transaction; or

 

Ø  

after the completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding shares owned by our officers and directors; or

 

Ø  

on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of our stockholders by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.

Stockholders may, by adopting an amendment to the corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, elect for the corporation not to be governed by Section 203, effective 12 months after adoption. Neither our certificate of incorporation nor our bylaws exempt us from the restrictions imposed under


 

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Section 203. It is anticipated that the provisions of Section 203 may encourage companies interested in acquiring us to negotiate in advance with our board of directors.

NASDAQ GLOBAL MARKET LISTING

Our common stock has been approved for listing on the NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol “RBCN.”

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.


 

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Shares eligible for future sale

Prior to this offering, there was no public market for our common stock. Future sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Although our common stock has been approved for quotation on the NASDAQ Global Market, we cannot assure you that there will be an active public market for our common stock.

Based on the number of shares outstanding as of October 31, 2007, upon completion of this offering, we will have outstanding an aggregate of 19,391,387 shares of common stock, after giving effect to the 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock effected August 30, 2007, assuming the conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock into an aggregate of 9,791,208 shares of common stock, the issuance of 3,526,734 shares of common stock in payment of accrued dividends on our outstanding preferred stock, the conversion of outstanding preferred stock warrants into common stock warrants and the automatic net exercise of those warrants that expire on the closing of this offering and the assumed net exercise of warrants by two selling stockholders at the closing of this offering, based on an assumed fair market value of one share of our common stock at the time of exercise equal to $13.00, which is the midpoint of the initial public offering price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus and further assuming that those warrants have not been exercised prior to the closing of this offering. Of these shares, the shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for participants purchasing at least $100,000 of shares reserved for our directed share program and our “affiliates”, as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, each of whose shares would be subject to certain limitations and restrictions described below. See “—Lock-up agreements” below.

The remaining 13,891,387 shares of common stock held by existing stockholders were issued and sold by us in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Substantially all of those shares will be subject to “lock-up” agreements described below on the effective date of this offering. Upon expiration of the lock-up agreements approximately 180 days after the effective date of this offering, 12,332,082 shares will become eligible for sale, subject in most cases to the limitations of Rule 144. In addition, holders of warrants and stock options could exercise such warrants and/or options and sell certain of the shares issued upon exercise as described below. See “—Lock-up agreements” below.

 

Days after date of

this prospectus

  

Shares
eligible

for sale

     Comment
Upon effectiveness    5,500,000      Shares sold in the offering
Upon effectiveness    94,228      Freely tradable shares saleable under Rule 144(k) that are not subject to a lock-up
90 days    0      Shares saleable under Rules 144 and 701 that are not subject to a lock-up
180 days    12,332,082      Lock-up agreements released; shares saleable under Rules 144 and 701
Thereafter    265,078      Restricted securities held for one year or less

 

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LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS

We, all of our directors and executive officers and their affiliates, and holders of substantially all of our outstanding stock have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, we and they will not, without prior written consent of UBS Securities LLC:

 

Ø  

directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract or grant any option to sell (including without limitation any short sale), pledge, transfer, establish or increase a “put equivalent position” or liquidate or decrease a “call equivalent position” or otherwise dispose of or transfer (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition of), including the filing (or participation in the filing) of a registration statement with the SEC in respect of, any shares of common stock, options or warrants to acquire shares of common stock, or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into shares of common stock currently or hereafter owned either of record or beneficially by such persons (except for the S-8 filing referred to below);

 

Ø  

enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another any of the economic consequences of ownership of such securities; or

 

Ø  

publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing,

for a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing through the close of trading on the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, other than certain permitted transfers.

In addition, we and they agree that, without the prior written consent of UBS Securities LLC, we and they will not, during such period, make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock.

The 180-day restricted period described in the preceding two paragraphs will be extended if:

 

Ø  

during the period that begins on the date that is 15 calendar days plus three business days before the last day of the restricted period and ends on the last day of the restricted period we issue an earnings release or announce material news or a material event relating to us occurs; or

 

Ø  

prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period,

in which case the restrictions described in the preceding two paragraphs will continue to apply until the expiration of the date that is 15 calendar days plus three business days after the date of the issuance of the earnings release, the announcement of material news or the occurrence of a material event.

UBS Securities LLC, in its sole discretion, may release the common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time with or without notice.

STOCK OPTIONS

As of September 30, 2007, after giving effect to the 1 for 13 reverse stock split on our common stock, there were a total of 1,374,450 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options under our 2001 Equity Plan, approximately 718,245 of which were vested and exercisable. The board of directors has approved the grant to Raja Parvez of an option to purchase 107,692 shares of common stock and additional grants to other key employees of options to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares of common stock, in each case effective upon the closing of this offering and at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price. These conditional grants are being made under our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan. As of September 30, 2007, we had 24,663 outstanding options to purchase common stock, which were issued pursuant to stock option agreements as compensation to board members and board advisors,


 

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19,182 of which were vested. Immediately after the completion of this offering, we intend to file registration statements on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register all of the shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2001 Equity Plan, the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and the options to purchase shares of common stock issued to board members and board advisors pursuant to stock option agreements. On the date which is 180 days after the effective date of this offering, a total of approximately 837,543 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options will be vested and exercisable. After the effective date of the registration statements on Form S-8, shares purchased under the 2001 Equity Plan and the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and shares issued pursuant to option agreements to board members and board advisors generally will be available for resale in the public market.

RULE 144

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a person who has beneficially owned shares of our common stock for at least one year, including an affiliate, would be entitled to sell in “broker’s transactions” or to market makers, within any three-month period, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

Ø  

1% of the number of shares of our common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately 193,914 shares immediately after this offering; or

 

Ø  

the average weekly trading volume in our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale.

Sales under Rule 144 are generally subject to the availability of current public information about us.

RULE 144(k)

Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least two years, including the holding period of any prior owner other than our affiliates, is entitled to sell such shares without having to comply with the manner of sale, public information, volume limitation or notice filing provisions of Rule 144. Therefore, unless otherwise restricted, “144(k) shares” may be sold immediately upon the completion of this offering.

RULE 701

In general, under Rule 701, any of our employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who purchase shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement before the effective date of this offering is entitled to sell such shares 90 days after the effective date of this offering in reliance on Rule 144, without having to comply with the holding period and notice filing requirements of Rule 144 and, in the case of non-affiliates, without having to comply with the public information and volume limitation provisions of Rule 144.

The SEC has indicated that Rule 701 will apply to typical stock options granted by an issuer before it becomes subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, along with the shares acquired upon exercise of such options, including exercises after the date of this prospectus.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

Upon completion of this offering, the holders of at least 12,201,629 shares of our common stock have certain rights with respect to the registration of such shares under the Securities Act. See “Description of capital stock—Registration rights.” Upon the effectiveness of a registration statement covering these shares, the shares would become freely tradable.


 

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Certain material US federal tax considerations for non-US holders

The following discussion is a general summary of certain material US federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our common stock applicable to “Non-US Holders.” As used herein, a Non-US Holder means a beneficial owner of our common stock that will hold shares of our common stock as capital assets (ie, generally, for investment), and, for US federal income tax purposes, is not a partnership or any of the following:

 

Ø  

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

Ø  

a corporation (or other business entity treated as a corporation for such purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

Ø  

an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for US federal income tax purposes regardless of source; or

 

Ø  

a trust that (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more US persons, or (ii) otherwise has elected to be treated as a US domestic trust.

If a partnership or other pass-through entity holds shares of our common stock, the US federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership or owner of the pass-through entity generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership or other pass-through entity. Accordingly, partnerships and pass-through entities that hold our common stock and partners or owners of such partnerships or pass-through entities, as applicable, should consult their own tax advisors.

This summary does not consider specific facts and circumstances that may be relevant to a particular Non-US Holder’s tax position and does not consider US state, local or non-US tax consequences. It also does not consider Non-US Holders subject to special tax treatment under the US federal income tax laws (including partnerships or other pass-through entities and their beneficial owners, banks, financial institutions and insurance companies, dealers and traders in securities, persons that hold our common stock as part of a “straddle”, “hedge”, “conversion transaction” or other integrated or risk-reduction transaction, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, companies that accumulate earnings to avoid US federal income tax, foreign tax-exempt organizations, former US citizens or residents and persons who hold or receive common stock as compensation). This summary is based on provisions of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable Treasury regulations, administrative pronouncements of the US Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis, and different interpretations.

This summary is included herein as general information only. Accordingly, each prospective Non-US Holder should consult its own tax advisors with respect to the US federal, state, local and non-US income, estate and other tax consequences of holding and disposing of our common stock.

US trade or business income

For purposes of this discussion, dividend income and gain on the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock will be considered to be “US trade or business income” if such income or gain is (i) effectively connected with the conduct by a Non-US Holder of a trade or business within the United States and (ii) in the case of a Non-US Holder that is eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States, if required by the income tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment (or, for


 

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an individual, a fixed base) maintained by the Non-US Holder in the United States. Generally, US trade or business income is not subject to US federal withholding tax (provided the Non-US Holder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements); instead, US trade or business income is subject to US federal income tax on a net income basis at regular US federal income tax rates in the same manner as is applicable to a US person. Any US trade or business income derived by a Non-US Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate, or at a lower rate prescribed by an applicable income tax treaty, under specific circumstances.

Dividends

Distributions of cash or property that we pay will constitute dividends for US federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under US federal income tax principles). A Non-US Holder generally will be subject to US federal withholding tax at a 30% rate, or at a reduced rate prescribed by an applicable income tax treaty, on the gross amount of any dividends received in respect of our common stock. If the amount of a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess first will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the Non-US Holder’s tax basis in our common stock, and thereafter will be treated as capital gain. In order to obtain a reduced rate of US federal withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty, a Non-US Holder will be required to provide a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits under the treaty. A Non-US Holder of our common stock that is eligible for a reduced rate of US federal withholding tax under an income tax treaty may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for a refund with the IRS. A Non-US Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding its possible entitlement to benefits under an income tax treaty. The US federal withholding tax does not apply to dividends that are US trade or business income, as defined above, of a Non-US Holder who provides a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-US Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

Dispositions of our common stock

A Non-US Holder generally will not be subject to US federal income or withholding tax in respect of any gain on a sale or other disposition of our common stock unless:

 

Ø  

the gain is US trade or business income, as defined above;

 

Ø  

the Non-US Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and meets other conditions (in which case, except as otherwise provided by an applicable income tax treaty, the gain, which may be offset by US source capital losses, generally will be subject to a flat 30% US federal income tax); or

 

Ø  

are or have been a “US real property holding corporation” (a “USRPHC”) under section 897 of the Code at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition and the Non-US Holder’s holding period for our common stock.

We do not believe that we currently are a USRPHC, and we do not anticipate becoming a USRPHC in the future. However, no assurances can be provided in this regard.

US federal estate taxes

Shares of our common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a US person (as defined for US federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be included in the individual’s gross estate for US federal estate tax purposes, and may be subject to US federal estate tax, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.


 

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Information reporting and backup withholding requirements

We must annually report to the IRS any dividend income that is subject to US federal withholding tax, or that is exempt from such withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty. Copies of these information returns also may be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-US Holder resides. Under certain circumstances, the Code imposes a backup withholding obligation (currently at a rate of 28%) on certain reportable payments. Dividends paid to a Non-US Holder of our common stock generally will be exempt from backup withholding if the Non-US Holder provides a properly-executed IRS Form W-8BEN or otherwise establishes an exemption. The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of our common stock to or through the US office of any broker, US or foreign, will be subject to information reporting and possible backup withholding unless the owner certifies as to its non-US status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption, provided that the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a US person or that the conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied. The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of common stock to or through a non-US office of a non-US broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding unless the non-US broker has certain types of relationships with the United States (a “US related person”). In the case of the payment of the proceeds from the disposition of our common stock to or through a non-US office of a broker that is either a US person or a US related person, the Treasury regulations require information reporting (but not the backup withholding) on the payment unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that the owner is a Non-US Holder and the broker has no knowledge to the contrary. Non-US Holders should consult their own tax advisors on the application of information reporting and backup withholding to them in their particular circumstances (including upon their disposition of our common stock). Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a Non-US Holder will be refunded or credited against the Non-US Holder’s US federal income tax liability, if any, if the Non-US Holder timely provides the required information to the IRS.

The preceding discussion of certain material US federal tax considerations is for general information only. It is not tax advice. Each prospective investor should consult its own tax advisors regarding the particular US federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of our common stock, including the consequences of any proposed changes in applicable laws.


 

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Underwriting

We and the selling stockholders are offering the shares of our common stock described in this prospectus through the underwriters named below. UBS Securities LLC is the representative of the underwriters and the sole book-running manager of this offering. We and the selling stockholders have entered into an underwriting agreement with the representative. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase the number of shares of common stock listed next to its name in the following table:

 

Underwriters   

Number of

shares

UBS Securities LLC

  

Canaccord Adams Inc.

  

CIBC World Markets Corp.

  

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

  
    

Total

   6,700,000
    

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters must buy all of the shares if they buy any of them. However, the underwriters are not required to take or pay for the shares covered by the underwriters’ overallotment option described below.

Our common stock and the common stock of the selling stockholders are offered subject to a number of conditions, including:

 

Ø  

receipt and acceptance of our common stock by the underwriters; and

 

Ø  

the underwriters’ right to reject orders in whole or in part.

We have been advised by the representative that the underwriters intend to make a market in our common stock, but they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue making a market at any time without notice.

In connection with this offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses electronically.

Sales of shares made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters.

OVERALLOTMENT OPTION

We have granted the underwriters an option to buy up to 1,005,000 additional shares of our common stock. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering overallotments, if any, made in connection with this offering. The underwriters have 30 days from the date of this prospectus to exercise this option. If the underwriters exercise this option, they will each purchase additional shares approximately in proportion to the amounts specified in the table above.

COMMISSIONS AND DISCOUNTS

Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a


 

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discount of up to $             per share from the initial public offering price. Any of these securities dealers may resell any shares purchased from the underwriters to other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $             per share from the initial public offering price. If all the shares are not sold at the initial public offering price, the representative may change the offering price and the other selling terms. Upon execution of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase the shares at the prices and upon the terms stated therein, and, as a result, will bear any risk associated with changing the offering price to the public or other selling terms. The representative of the underwriters has informed us that it does not expect discretionary sales to exceed             % of the shares of common stock to be offered.

The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions we and the selling stockholders will pay to the underwriters, assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to an additional 1,005,000 shares from us:

 

     Paid by us    Paid by selling
stockholders
   Total
       No exercise    Full exercise    No exercise    Full exercise    No exercise    Full exercise

Per share

   $             $             $             $             $             $         

Total

   $             $             $             $             $             $         

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering payable by us, not including the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $             million.

NO SALES OF SIMILAR SECURITIES

We, our executive officers and directors, and substantially all of our existing security holders have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters. Under these agreements, we and each of these persons may not, without the prior written approval of UBS Securities LLC, offer, sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, hedge, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, or warrants or other rights to purchase our common stock. These restrictions will be in effect for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. At any time and without public notice, UBS Securities LLC may, in its sole discretion, release some or all of the securities from these lock-up agreements.

If, during the period that begins on the date that is 15 calendar days plus three business days before the last day of the 180-day lock-up period and ends on the last day of the 180-day lock-up period:

 

Ø  

we issue an earnings release;

 

Ø  

material news or a material event relating to us occurs; or

 

Ø  

prior to the expiration of the 180-day lock-up period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day lock-up period,

then the 180-day lock-up period will be extended until the expiration of the date that is 15 calendar days plus three business days after the date on which the issuance of the earnings release or the material news or material event occurs.

INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

We and the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and their controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. If we or the selling stockholders


 

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are unable to provide this indemnification, we and the selling stockholders will contribute to payments the underwriters and their controlling persons may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

NASDAQ GLOBAL MARKET QUOTATION

Our common stock has been approved for listing on the NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol “RBCN.”

PRICE STABILIZATION, SHORT POSITIONS

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our common stock, including:

 

Ø  

stabilizing transactions;

 

Ø  

short sales;

 

Ø  

purchases to cover positions created by short sales;

 

Ø  

imposition of penalty bids; and

 

Ø  

syndicate covering transactions.

Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock while this offering is in progress. These transactions may also include making short sales of our common stock, which involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares of common stock than they are required to purchase in this offering. Short sales may be “covered short sales”, which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ overallotment option referred to above, or may be “naked short sales”, which are short positions in excess of that amount.

The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising their overallotment option, in whole or in part, or by purchasing shares in the open market. In making this determination, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the overallotment option.

Naked short sales are sales in excess of the overallotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchased in this offering.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representative has repurchased shares sold by or for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

As a result of these activities, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. The underwriters may carry out these transactions on the NASDAQ Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.


 

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Underwriting


 

DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE

Prior to this offering, there was no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price will be determined by negotiation by us and the representative of the underwriters. The principal factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price include:

 

Ø  

the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the representative;

 

Ø  

our history and prospects and the history of, and prospectus for, the industry in which we compete;

 

Ø  

our past and present financial performance and an assessment of our management;

 

Ø  

our prospects for future earnings and the present state of our development;

 

Ø  

the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering;

 

Ø  

the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly traded common stock of generally comparable companies; and

 

Ø  

other factors deemed relevant by the underwriters and us.

DIRECTED SHARE PROGRAM

At our request, certain of the underwriters have reserved up to 5% of the common stock being offered by this prospectus for sale at the initial offering price to our officers, directors, employees and consultants and other persons having a relationship with us, as designated by us. The sales will be made by UBS Financial Services Inc., an affiliate of UBS Securities LLC, through a directed share program. We do not know whether these persons will choose to purchase all or any portion of these reserved shares, but any purchases they do make will reduce the number of shares available to the general public. Any directed share participants purchasing at least $100,000 of these reserved shares will be subject to the restrictions described in “—No sales of similar securities” above.

AFFILIATIONS

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have in the past provided and may from time to time provide certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services for us for which they were and will be entitled to receive separate fees. In addition, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC owns one-third of the limited partnership interests of Co-Invest Management L.P., which is the general partner of one of our principal stockholders, The Co-Investment 2000 Fund, L.P.

The underwriters and their affiliates may from time to time in the future engage in transactions with us and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business.


 

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Notice to investors

CANADA

The underwriters have not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, any of our common stock, directly or indirectly, in any province or territory of Canada or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of any province or territory of Canada in contravention of the securities laws thereof. The underwriters will ensure that any offer or sale of our common stock in Canada will be made only (a) in accordance with an exemption from the requirement to file a prospectus in the province or territory of Canada in which such offer or sale is made, and (b) by a dealer duly registered under the applicable securities laws of that province or territory or in circumstances where an exemption from the applicable registered dealer requirements is available and will send to any dealer who purchases from it any of our common stock a notice stating in substance that, by purchasing such common stock, such dealer represents and agrees that it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any of such common stock in any province or territory of Canada or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of any province or territory of Canada in contravention of the securities laws thereof and that any offer or sale of our common stock in Canada will be made only (a) in accordance with an exemption from the requirement to file a prospectus in the province or territory of Canada in which such offer or sale is made, and (b) by a dealer duly registered under the applicable securities laws of that province or territory or in circumstances where an exemption from the applicable registered dealer requirements is available, and that such dealer will deliver to any other dealer to whom it sells any of such common stock a notice containing substantially the same statement as is contained in this sentence. The underwriters have also agreed to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and make or obtain all necessary filings, consents or approvals, in each Canadian jurisdiction in which they purchase, offer, sell or deliver our common stock (including, without limitation, any applicable requirements relating to the delivery of this prospectus), in each case, at their own expense. In connection with sales of and offers to sell our common stock made by them, the underwriters will either furnish to each Canadian Person to whom any such sale or offer is made a copy of the then current prospectus, or inform such person that such prospectus will be made available upon request, and will keep an accurate record of the names and addresses of all persons to whom they give copies of this prospectus, or any amendment or supplement to this prospectus; and when furnished with any subsequent amendment to this prospectus, any subsequent prospectus or any medium outlining changes in this prospectus, the underwriters will promptly forward copies thereof to such persons or inform such persons that such amendment, subsequent prospectus or other medium will be made available upon request.

“Canadian Person” means any national or resident of Canada (other than an individual resident in a Canadian province or territory where such individual is prohibited from purchasing securities under local provincial and territorial securities laws), or any corporation, person, profit-sharing or other trust or other entity organized under the laws of Canada or of any political subdivision thereof (other than a branch located outside Canada of any or Canadian Person), and includes any Canadian branch of a person who is otherwise not a Canadian Person.

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area, or EEA, which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State, or the Relevant Implementation Date, our common stock will not be offered to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to our common stock that has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member


 

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Notice to investors


 

State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, our common stock may be offered to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

Ø  

to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

Ø  

to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43 million and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50 million, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; or

 

Ø  

in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by us of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

As used above, the expression “offered to the public” in relation to any of our common stock in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and our common stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for our common stock, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

The EEA selling restriction is in addition to any other selling restrictions set out below.

UNITED KINGDOM

Our common stock may not be offered or sold and will not be offered or sold to any persons in the United Kingdom other than to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or as agent) for the purposes of their businesses and in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or the FSMA, with respect to anything done in relation to our common stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom. In addition, each underwriter has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of our common stock in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us. Without limiting the other restrictions referred to herein, this prospectus is directed only at (i) persons outside the United Kingdom, (ii) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of “investment professionals” in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005; or (iii) high net worth bodies corporate, unincorporated associations and partnerships and trustees of high value trusts as described in Article 49(2) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005. Without limiting the other restrictions referred to herein, investments or investment activity to which this prospectus relates is available only to, and will be engaged in only with, such persons. Persons within the United Kingdom who receive this communication (other than persons who fall within (ii) or (iii) above) should not rely or act upon this communication.

FRANCE

No prospectus (including any amendment, supplement or replacement thereto) has been prepared in connection with the offering of our common stock that has been approved by the Autorité des marchés financiers or by the competent authority of another State that is a contracting party to the Agreement on


 

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Notice to investors


 

the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des marchés financiers; no common stock has been offered or sold or will be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France except to permitted investors, consisting of persons licensed to provide the investment service of portfolio management for the account of third parties, qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) acting for their own account and/or corporate investors meeting one of the four criteria provided in Article 1 of Decree N7 2004-1019 of September 28, 2004 and belonging to a limited circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs) acting for their own account, with “qualified investors” and “limited circle of investors” having the meaning ascribed to them in Article L. 411-2 of the French Code Monétaire et Financier and applicable regulations thereunder; none of this prospectus or any other materials related to the offering or information contained therein relating to our common stock has been released, issued or distributed to the public in France except to Permitted Investors; and the direct or indirect resale to the public in France of any common stock acquired by any Permitted Investors may be made only as provided by articles L. 412-1 and L. 621-8 of the French Code Monétaire et Financier and applicable regulations thereunder.

ITALY

The offering of shares of our common stock has not been cleared by the Italian Securities Exchange Commission (Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa, or the CONSOB) pursuant to Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, shares of our common stock may not and will not be offered, sold or delivered, nor may or will copies of this prospectus or any other documents relating to shares of our common stock or the offering be distributed in Italy other than to professional investors (operatori qualificati), as defined in Article 31, paragraph 2 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11522 of July 1, 1998, as amended, or Regulation No. 11522.

Any offer, sale or delivery of shares of our common stock or distribution of copies of this prospectus or any other document relating to shares of our common stock or the offering in Italy may and will be effected in accordance with all Italian securities, tax, exchange control and other applicable laws and regulations, and, in particular, will be: (i) made by an investment firm, bank or financial intermediary permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with the Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended, or the Italian Banking Law, Legislative Decree No. 58 of February 24, 1998, as amended, Regulation No. 11522, and any other applicable laws and regulations; (ii) in compliance with Article 129 of the Italian Banking Law and the implementing guidelines of the Bank of Italy; and (iii) in compliance with any other applicable notification requirements or limitations which may be imposed by CONSOB or the Bank of Italy.

Any investor purchasing shares of our common stock in the offering is solely responsible for ensuring that any offer or resale of shares of common stock that it purchased in the offering complies with applicable laws and regulations.

This prospectus and the information contained herein are intended only for the use of its recipient and are not to be distributed to any third party residing or located in Italy for any reason. No person residing or located in Italy other than the original recipients of this document may rely on it or its content.

In addition to the above (which shall continue to apply to the extent not inconsistent with the implementing measures of the Prospective Directive in Italy), after the implementation of the Prospectus Directive in Italy, the restrictions, warranties and representations set out under the heading “European Economic Area” above shall apply to Italy.


 

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Notice to investors


 

GERMANY

Shares of our common stock may not be offered, sold, publicly promoted, or advertised by any underwriter in the Federal Republic of Germany other than in compliance with the provisions of the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz—WpPG) of June 22, 2005, as amended, and with any other laws applicable in the Federal Republic of Germany governing the issue, offering and sale of securities.

SPAIN

Neither the common stock nor this prospectus have been approved or registered in the administrative registries of the Spanish National Securities Exchange Commission (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores). Accordingly, our common stock may not be offered in Spain except in circumstances which do not constitute a public offer of securities in Spain within the meaning of articles 30bis of the Spanish Securities Markets Law of 28 July 1988 (Ley 24/1988, de 28 de Julio, del Mercado de Valores), as amended and restated, and supplemental rules enacted thereunder.

SWEDEN

This is not a prospectus under and has not been prepared in accordance with the prospectus requirements provided in the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act [lagen (1991:980) om handel med finasiella instrument] or any other Swedish enactment. Neither the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority nor any other Swedish public body has examined, approved or registered this document.

SWITZERLAND

The common stock may not and will not be publicly offered, distributed or re-distributed on a professional basis in or from Switzerland and neither this prospectus nor any other solicitation for investments in our common stock may be communicated or distributed in Switzerland in any way that could constitute a public offering within the meaning of Articles 1156 or 652a of the Swiss Code of Obligations or of Article 2 of the Federal Act on Investment Funds of March 18, 1994. This prospectus may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or passed on to others without the underwriters’ prior written consent. This prospectus is not a prospectus within the meaning of Articles 1156 and 652a of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus according to article 32 of the Listing Rules of the Swiss Exchange and may not comply with the information standards required thereunder. We will not apply for a listing of our common stock on any Swiss stock exchange or other Swiss regulated market and this prospectus may not comply with the information required under the relevant listing rules. The common stock offered hereby has not and will not be registered with the Swiss Federal Banking Commission and has not and will not be authorized under the Federal Act on Investment Funds of March 18, 1994. The investor protection afforded to acquirers of investment fund certificates by the Federal Act on Investment Funds of March 18, 1994 does not extend to acquirers of our common stock.


 

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Legal matters

The validity of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by McGuireWoods LLP, Chicago, Illinois. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Austin, Texas and Palo Alto, California, is representing the underwriters in this offering.

Experts

The financial statements as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of Grant Thornton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

Where you can find additional information

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 (File Number 333-145880) under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of common stock we are offering by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information pertaining to us and our common stock, you should refer to the registration statement and to its exhibits. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document.

Upon the closing of the offering, we will be subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and will file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facility at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, District of Columbia, 20549.

You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, District of Columbia, 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facility.


 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

   Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Balance sheets as of December 31, 2005 (restated) and 2006 (restated)

   F-3

Statements of operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006

   F-4

Statements of redeemable equity and stockholders’ equity (deficit) for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 (restated)

   F-5

Statements of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006

   F-6

Notes to financial statements

   F-7

Audited restated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006 and unaudited balance sheet at September 30, 2007

   F-33

Unaudited statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007

   F-34

Unaudited statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007

   F-35

Notes to unaudited financial statements

   F-36

 


 

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Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Rubicon Technology, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, and the related statements of operations, redeemable equity and stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in Note 1, effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment.” In addition, as discussed in Note 1, effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position 150-5, “Issuer’s Accounting Under FASB Statement No. 150 for Freestanding Warrants and Other Similar Instruments on Shares that are Redeemable.”

As discussed in Note 12, the accompanying 2004, 2005 and 2006 statements of redeemable equity and stockholders’ equity (deficit) and balance sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 have been restated.

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

Chicago, Illinois

September 4, 2007 (except for Note 12, as to which the date is October 30, 2007)


 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


 

Balance sheets

 

    As of December 31,    

Pro forma
stockholders’
equity at
December 31,
2006

(Note 1)

 
     

2005

(Restated—

see Note 12)

   

2006

(Restated—

see Note 12)

   
          (unaudited)  
    (in thousands, other than share data)  

Assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 1,466     $ 3,638    

Restricted cash

    5       19    

Accounts receivable, net

    2,096       2,925    

Inventories, net

    3,033       1,631    

Spare parts

    753       806    

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    576       681    
                 

Total current assets

    7,929       9,700    

Property and equipment, net

    20,878       19,263    

Other assets

    78       57    
                 

Total assets

  $ 28,885     $ 29,020    
                 

Liabilities, redeemable equity and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     

Accounts payable

  $ 820     $ 1,481    

Current maturities of long-term debt

    1,055       1,972    

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

    201       251    

Lines of credit, net of unamortized discount

    1,128       973    

Accrued payroll

    338       756    

Accrued and other current liabilities

    787       882    

Convertible preferred stock warrant liability

          3,773      
                     

Total current liabilities

    4,329       10,088    

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current maturities

    4,741       2,628    

Other liabilities

    23          
                 

Total liabilities

    9,093       12,716    
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)      

Redeemable equity

     

Redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 129,894,744 and 139,785,871 shares authorized at December 31, 2005 and 2006; 76,351,521 and 96,270,146 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2006; liquidation amount: $78,875 and $92,823 at December 31, 2005 and 2006; pro forma: preferred stock, $0.001 par value; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding

    59,365       93,897      
                     

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     

Preferred stock, pro forma $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 undesignated shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding

     

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 85,000,000 shares authorized and 249,298 and 252,183 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2006; pro forma $0.001 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 12,848,983 shares issued and outstanding

    3       3     11  

Additional paid-in capital—as restated

    17,334           97,662  

Accumulated deficit—as restated

    (56,910 )     (77,596 )   (77,596 )
                     

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

    (39,573 )     (77,593 )   20,077  
                     

Total liabilities, redeemable equity and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

  $ 28,885     $ 29,020    
                 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 


 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


 

Statements of operations

 

     Year ended December 31,  
       2004     2005     2006  
     (in thousands, other than share and per share data)  

Revenue

   $ 16,043     $ 16,315     $ 20,752  

Cost of goods sold

     14,815       18,508       18,885  
                        

Gross profit (loss)

     1,228       (2,193 )     1,867  

Operating expenses:

      

General and administrative

     3,029       4,688       3,298  

Sales and marketing

     1,586       1,266       1,062  

Research and development

     922       861       679  

Asset impairment

                 933  

Loss on disposal of assets

           383       42  
                        

Loss from operations

     (4,309 )     (9,391 )     (4,147 )
                        

Other income (expense):

      

Change in carrying value of convertible preferred stock warrants

                 (1,962 )

Interest income

     6       14       5  

Interest expense

     (1,058 )     (2,749 )     (1,315 )
                        

Total other income (expense)

     (1,052 )     (2,735 )     (3,272 )
                        
      

Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     (5,361 )     (12,126 )     (7,419 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

                 (221 )
                        

Net loss

     (5,361 )     (12,126 )     (7,640 )

Dividends on preferred stock

     (2,631 )     (3,924 )     (5,563 )

Accretion of redeemable preferred stock

     (2,681 )     4,404       (23,416 )
                        

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (10,673 )   $ (11,646 )   $ (36,619 )
                        

Net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders,

      

basic and diluted

   $ (46.79 )   $ (47.52 )   $ (146.57 )
                        

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders,

      

basic and diluted

     228,124       245,073       249,843  

Pro forma:

      

Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share

       $ (0.59 )

Shares used to compute pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share

         12,846,643  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


 

Statements of redeemable equity and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

    Redeemable equity     Stockholders’ equity (deficit)  
    Redeemable convertible
preferred stock (Note 5)
    Common stock  

Additional
paid-in
capital

(Restated—

see Note 12)

   

Accumulated
deficit

(Restated—

see Note 12)

    Total
stockholders’
equity (deficit)
 
      Shares   Amount     Shares   Amount      
              (in thousands other than share data)  

Balance at December 31, 2003 (Restated—see Note 12)

  27,415,440   $ 29,973     228,077   $ 3   $ 20,216     $ (39,423 )   $ (19,204 )

Sale of Series C preferred stock

  16,049,570     12,142                          

Exercise of stock options

          58                      

Dividends on preferred stock (Restated—see Note 12)

      2,631             (2,631 )           (2,631 )

Accretion of preferred stock to redemption value (Restated—see Note 12)

      2,681             (2,681 )           (2,681 )

Net loss

                        (5,361 )     (5,361 )
                                             

Balance at December 31, 2004 (Restated—see Note 12)

  43,465,010     47,427     228,135     3     14,904       (44,784 )     (29,877 )

Sale of Series D preferred stock

  6,123,619     4,982                          

Sale of Series E preferred stock

  26,762,892     7,436                          

Exercise of stock options

          21,163         39             39  

Issuance of warrants in conjunction with the procurement of loans

                  1,233             1,233  

Beneficial conversion feature

                  678             678  

Dividends on preferred stock (Restated—see Note 12)

      3,924             (3,924 )           (3,924 )

Accretion of preferred stock to redemption value (Restated—see Note 12)

      (4,404 )           4,404             4,404  

Net loss

                        (12,126 )     (12,126 )
                                             

Balance at December 31, 2005 (Restated—see Note 12)

  76,351,521     59,365     249,298     3     17,334       (56,910 )     (39,573 )

Sale of Series E preferred stock

  19,918,625     5,553                          

Exercise of stock options

          2,885         14             14  

Reclassification of warrants to liability

                  (1,477 )           (1,477 )

Stock-based compensation

                  62             62  

Dividends on preferred stock (Restated—see Note 12)

      5,563             (5,563 )           (5,563 )

Accretion of preferred stock to redemption value (Restated—see Note 12)

      23,416             (10,370 )     (13,046 )     (23,416 )

Net loss

                        (7,640 )     (7,640 )
                                             

Balance at December 31, 2006 (Restated—see Note 12)

  96,270,146   $ 93,897     252,183   $ 3   $     $ (77,596 )   $ (77,593 )
                                             

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


 

F-5


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


 

Statements of cash flows

 

     Year ended December 31,  
       2004     2005     2006  
     (in thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net loss

   $ (5,361 )   $ (12,126 )   $ (7,640 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

      

Depreciation and amortization

     1,996       3,068       3,091  

Amortization of financing costs

     371       225       17  

Net loss on disposal of equipment

           383       42  

Asset impairment

                 933  

Change in carrying value of convertible stock warrants

                 2,183  

Stock-based compensation

                 62  

Warrants issued for services

                 32  

Interest expense related to accretion

     16       1,494       352  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     (835 )     466       (829 )

Inventories

     827       (1,572 )     1,402  

Spare parts

     (263 )     (293 )     (53 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     335       167       (84 )

Accounts payable

     881       (1,233 )     661  

Accrued payroll

     77       85       418  

Accrued and other current liabilities

     (112 )     (75 )     72  
                        

Net cash provided (used in) operating activities

     (2,068 )     (9,411 )     659  
                        

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Purchases of property and equipment

     (8,664 )     (4,141 )     (2,373 )

Proceeds from disposal of assets

                 45  
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (8,664 )     (4,141 )     (2,328 )
                        

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Proceeds from sale of preferred stock

     12,142       4,918       5,553  

Proceeds from exercise of options

           39       14  

Restricted cash

     43             (14 )

Proceeds from line of credit

     3,890       3,120       1,430  

Payments on line of credit

     (2,435 )     (4,036 )     (1,596 )

Payments on capital lease

     (848 )     (826 )     (225 )

Borrowings from preferred stockholders

           7,500        

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     2,510       4,000        

Payments on long-term debt

     (2,830 )     (3,645 )     (1,321 )
                        

Net cash provided by financing activities

     12,472       11,070       3,841  
                        

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     1,740       (2,482 )     2,172  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     2,208       3,948       1,466  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 3,948     $ 1,466     $ 3,638  
                        

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

      

Cash paid during the year for interest

   $ 1,067     $ 1,178     $ 867  

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash transactions

      

Capital assets acquired for capital lease obligations

     829       400       123  

Warrants issued with debt instruments

           1,233        

Conversion of debt to preferred stock

           7,500        

Reclassification of preferred stock warrants to liability

                 1,477  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


 

F-6


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements

 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of business

Rubicon Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is an electronic materials provider that develops, manufactures and sells monocrystalline sapphire and other innovative crystalline products for LEDs, RFICs, blue laser diodes, optoelectronics and other optical applications. The Company maintains its operating facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area.

A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the accompanying financial statements follows.

Pro forma stockholders’ equity (deficit)

Holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each series of preferred stock can require mandatory conversion of such series of preferred stock into common stock at any time. In addition, upon the closing of an initial public offering (“IPO”), all of the outstanding shares of Series A, B, B-2, C, C-2, D, D-2, and E preferred stock shall automatically be converted into shares of common stock, if the aggregate proceeds of the IPO are $25 million or greater (prior to deduction of any underwriting discount or other expenses and including proceeds received by the Company upon exercise of any overallotment by the underwriters) and if the common stock price is not less than $65.00 per share (as ratably adjusted to reflect any stock splits, subdivisions or combinations affecting the common stock). The December 31, 2006 pro forma stockholders’ equity (deficit) has been prepared assuming the conversion of Series A, B, B-2, C, C-2, D, D-2 and E preferred stock outstanding and related dividends into approximately 12,596,800 common shares as of December 31, 2006. Preferred stock warrants that do not net exercise on the closing of an initial public offering will convert into warrants to purchase shares of common stock at the applicable conversion rate of the related series of preferred stock. The convertible preferred stock warrant liability recorded at the closing of the IPO will be reclassified to additional paid-in capital.

Reverse stock split

All prior period common stock amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect a 1 for 13 reverse stock split effective August 30, 2007. As a result of this common stock split there was an automatic change in the conversion prices of all series of preferred stock and their related dividend conversion rates at the same 1 for 13 ratio.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all unrestricted highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents primarily consist of time deposits with banks.

Restricted cash

At December 31, 2005 and 2006, in connection with certain credit agreements, the Company is required to maintain $5,000 and $15,781 of restricted certificates of deposit. At December 31, 2006, the Company held $3,654 of employee funds as part of a flexible spending program.


 

F-7


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

Accounts receivable

The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable are due from manufacturers, primarily in the sapphire substrate polishing business, serving the LED industry. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customers’ financial condition. Accounts receivable are due based on contract terms and at stated amounts due from customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time past due, the customer’s current ability to pay and the condition of the general economy and industry as a whole. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts.

The following table shows the activity of the allowance for doubtful accounts:

 

     Year ended December 31,  
       2005     2006  

Beginning balance

   $ 11,523     $ 212,983  

Charges (credits) to costs and expenses

     201,547       (44,702 )

Accounts charged off, less recoveries

     (87 )     (21,821 )
                

Ending balance

   $ 212,983     $ 146,460  
                

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method, and includes materials, labor and overhead. The Company reduces the carrying value of its inventories for differences between the cost and the estimated net realizable value, taking into account usage, expected demand, technological obsolescence and other information. Inventories are composed of the following:

 

     As of December 31,  
       2005     2006  

Raw materials

   $ 223,048     $ 461,257  

Work in progress

     2,881,500       1,638,742  

Finished goods

     88,490       111,550  
                
     3,193,038       2,211,549  

Reserve for obsolescence and realization

     (159,770 )     (580,244 )
                
   $ 3,033,268     $ 1,631,305  
                

The following table shows the activity of the obsolescence and realization reserve:

     Year ended December 31,
       2005    2006

Beginning balance

   $ 40,000    $ 159,770

Charges to costs and expenses

     119,770      420,474
             

Ending balance

   $ 159,770    $ 580,244
             

 


 

F-8


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

Property and equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

     As of December 31,  
       2005     2006  

Machinery, equipment and tooling

   $ 22,600,844     $ 23,161,219  

Leasehold improvements

     3,064,967       3,045,089  

Furniture and fixtures

     748,376       707,813  

Information systems

     541,827       545,983  

Construction in progress

     1,198,621       1,923,475  
                

Total cost

     28,154,635       29,383,579  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (7,276,261 )     (10,120,621 )
                

Property and equipment, net

   $ 20,878,374     $ 19,262,958  
                

Property and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred. Significant renewals and improvements are capitalized. Depreciation and amortization expense associated with property and equipment was $1,995,708, $3,067,730 and $3,091,043 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Construction in progress includes costs associated with the construction of furnaces and deposits made on equipment purchases. Interest costs capitalized were not significant for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Asset description    Life

Machinery, equipment and tooling

   5-10 years

Leasehold improvements

   Lesser of life of lease or economic life

Furniture and fixtures

   7 years

Information systems

   3 years

The cost of property and equipment included above subject to capital leases was $838,827 and $536,724 at December 31, 2005 and 2006. Accumulated depreciation on these assets was $88,140 and $70,447 at December 31, 2005 and 2006.

Asset impairment

In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment on Disposal of Long-lived Assets”, property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the related asset or group of assets, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset or group of assets. An impairment loss of $933,000 was recorded on long-lived assets removed from service during the year ended December 31, 2006. There were no impairment losses on long-lived assets for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005.


 

F-9


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

Warranty cost

The Company’s sales terms include a warranty that its products will meet certain specifications and is based on terms that are generally accepted in the marketplace. The Company records a current liability for the expected cost of warranty-related claims at the time of sale. Prior to 2005, warranty costs were immaterial and were not accrued for. The following table presents changes in the Company’s product warranty liability for the years ended December 31:

 

       2005     2006  
     (in thousands)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $     $ 50  

Charged to cost of sales

     420       352  

Actual product warranty expenditures

     (370 )     (332 )
                

Balance, end of period

   $ 50     $ 70  
                

Fair value of financial instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt. The carrying values of these assets and liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments at December 31, 2005 and 2006.

Concentration of credit risks and other risks and uncertainties

Financial instruments that could potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables. At December 31, 2005 and 2006, the Company had $1,371,206 and $3,557,394 on deposit at a financial institution in excess of amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company performs periodic evaluation of this institution for relative credit standing. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and management believes it is not exposed to any significant risk of loss on these balances.

The Company currently depends on a small number of suppliers for certain raw materials, components, services and equipment, including key materials such as aluminum oxide and certain furnace components. If the supply of these components were to be disrupted or terminated, or if these suppliers were unable to supply the quantities of raw materials required, the Company may have difficulty in finding or may be unable to find alternative sources for these items. As a result, the Company may be unable to meet the demand for its products, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company.

Concentration of credit risk related to revenue and trade receivables is discussed in Note 3 below.

Revenue recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when earned in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin, (“SAB”), No. 104, “Revenue Recognition . ” Revenue is recognized when, and if, evidence of an arrangement is obtained and the other criteria to support revenue recognition are met, including:

 

Ø  

Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists .    The Company requires evidence of a purchase order with the customer specifying the terms and specifications of the product to be delivered, typically in the form of a signed quotation or purchase order from the customer.


 

F-10


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

Ø  

Title has passed and the product has been delivered .    Title passage and product delivery generally occur when the product is delivered to a common carrier.

 

Ø  

The price is fixed or determinable .    All terms are fixed in the signed quotation or purchase order received from the customer. The purchase orders do not contain rights of cancellation, return, exchange or refund.

 

Ø  

Collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.     The Company’s standard arrangement with customers includes 30 day payment terms. Customers are subject to a credit review process that evaluates the customers’ financial position and their ability to pay. Collectibility is determined by considering the length of time the customer has been in business and history of collections. If it is determined that collection is not probable, no product is shipped and no revenue is recognized unless cash is received in advance.

The Company does not provide maintenance or other services and we do not have sales that involve multiple elements or deliverables as defined under Emerging Issues Task Force Issue (“EITF”) No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.

Shipping and handling costs

In accordance with EITF 00-10, “Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs”, the Company records costs incurred in connection with shipping and handling products as cost of goods sold. Amounts billed to customers in connection with these costs are included in revenue and are not material for any of the periods presented in the accompanying financial statements.

Stock-based compensation

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation arrangements in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”), Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation, an Interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25” (“FIN 44”) and FIN 28, “Accounting for Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Variable Stock Option or Award Plans”, and had adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”) and SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure” (“SFAS 148”).

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), which revised SFAS 123, and supersedes APB 25. SFAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be measured at fair value and expensed in the statements of operations over the service period (generally the vesting period) of the grant. Upon adoption, the Company transitioned to SFAS 123R using the prospective transition method, under which only new awards (or awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after the effective date) are accounted for under the provisions of SFAS 123R and expense is only recognized in the consolidated statements of operations beginning with the first period that SFAS 123R is effective and continuing to be expensed thereafter. See Note 6 for further disclosure related to SFAS 123R.

Research and development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expense was $921,814, $860,629 and $679,379 in 2004, 2005 and 2006.


 

F-11


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”, which became effective for the Company on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of the date of adoption was not significant. As such, there are no unrecognized tax benefits included in the balance sheet that would, if recognized, affect the effective tax rate.

The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had no accruals for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, and has not recognized any interest or penalties in expense for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006. The Company is subject to taxation in the US and various state jurisdictions. Due to the existence of net operating loss carryforwards, all tax years are open to examination by tax authorities.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are provided for temporary differences between financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws expected to be in effect when the differences will reverse. Deferred income taxes also arise from the future benefits of net operating loss carryforwards. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. A valuation allowance equal to 100% of the net deferred tax assets has been recognized due to uncertainty regarding the future realization of these assets.

Other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income refers to revenue, expenses, gains and losses that, under US GAAP, are included in other comprehensive income (loss), but are excluded from net income (loss), as these amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to stockholders’ equity, net of tax. The Company’s net income (loss) is the same as other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006.


 

F-12


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

Convertible preferred stock warrant liability

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 150-5, “Issuer’s Accounting under FASB Statement No. 150 for Freestanding Warrants and Other Similar Instruments on Shares that are Redeemable.” FSP 150-5 requires the Company to classify its outstanding preferred stock warrants as liabilities as the warrants are exercisable into redeemable preferred shares. The fair value of warrants classified as liabilities is adjusted for changes in fair value at each reporting period, and the corresponding non-cash gain or loss is recorded in current period earnings. The Company’s management determined the fair value of the preferred stock warrants at January 1, 2006 and at each subsequent reporting date. The methodology used to value the warrants was a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The determination of the fair value using this model will be affected by assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include expected stock volatility over the contractual term of the warrants, risk-free interest rates, and the estimated fair value of the underlying preferred stock. The contractual term used was equal to the remaining contractual term of the warrants. The volatility was based on an analysis of a peer group of public companies. Historical price volatilities of these companies were evaluated over a period of time equal to the contractual term of the warrants. The risk-free interest rates were based on US Treasury zero-coupon rates in effect at each reporting period with terms consistent with the remaining contractual term of the warrants. The fair value of the underlying preferred stock at January 1, 2006 and at each subsequent reporting date was determined based upon management’s valuation of the Company using market and income approaches and utilizing an option pricing methodology to allocate the Company valuation to each equity security. The allocated valuation amounts were then probability weighted as prescribed by the AICPA Practice Aid “Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation” based upon management’s best estimates of an initial public offering or remaining private.

Redeemable convertible preferred stock

The Company has issued various series of preferred stock. The holders of Series A, B, B-2, C, C-2, D, D-2, and E preferred stock have the option to sell their shares back to the Company at the greater of the original purchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends, or the current fair market value of the shares plus accrued and unpaid dividends. As a result, the carrying value of the preferred stock has been increased by an accretion amount each period so that the carrying amounts will equal the greater of fair value plus accrued and unpaid dividends or the original cost plus accrued and unpaid dividends value for the Series A, B, B-2, C, C-2, D, D-2, and E preferred stock. The accreted amounts have been revised to record the accretion to additional paid-in capital, if any, and then to accumulated deficit. The option to sell and the related accretion of the preferred shares terminate upon the occurrence of a qualified public offering.


 

F-13


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

Net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders

Net loss per share of common stock is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
       2004     2005     2006  

Net loss per common share:

      

Basic and diluted:

      

Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   $ (23.50 )   $ (49.48 )   $ (29.69 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

                 (0.89 )
                        

Net loss

   $ (23.50 )   $ (49.48 )   $ (30.58 )
                        

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (46.79 )   $ (47.52 )   $ (146.57 )
                        

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in:

      

Basic and diluted

     228,124       245,073       249,843  

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive shares outstanding are calculated by adding to the weighted shares outstanding any common stock equivalents from redeemable preferred stock, outstanding stock options and warrants based on the treasury stock method.

Diluted net loss and net loss attributable to common stockholders per share is the same as basic net loss attributable to common stockholders per share in the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, since the effects of potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive.

The number of anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share is as follows as of December 31:

 

    

As of December 31,

       2004    2005    2006

Preferred stock

   43,465,010    76,351,521    96,270,146

Warrants

   2,466,131    8,816,041    9,378,628

Stock options

   637,164    557,597    1,096,225
              
   46,568,305    85,725,159    106,744,999
              

 

F-14


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

Pro forma net loss per share assuming conversion of preferred stock and outstanding stock options and warrants for the year ended December 31, 2006 were as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

       Year ended
December 31,
2006
 
     (unaudited)  

Historical earnings per share

  

Numerator:

  

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (36,619 )

Denominator:

  

Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding

     249,843  
        

Net loss attributable to common stockholders per share—basic and diluted

   $ (146.57 )
        

Pro forma earnings per share

  

Numerator:

  

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (36,619 )

Pro forma adjustment to add back preferred stock accretion and dividends

     28,979  
        

Pro forma net loss

   $ (7,640 )
        

Denominator for pro forma basic net loss per share:

  

Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding

     249,843  

Pro forma adjustments to reflect assumed conversion of preferred stock (as if converted)

     12,596,800  
        

Shares used to compute pro forma basic net loss per common share

     12,846,643  
        

Pro forma basic net loss per share

   $ (0.59 )
        

Recent accounting pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company has not yet determined the effect that the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to measure at fair value many financial instruments and certain other items on an instrument-by-instrument basis that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company has not yet determined the effect that the adoption of SFAS 159 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

2. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company has determined that it operates in only one segment in accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”, as it only reports profit and loss information on an aggregate basis to its chief operating decision maker.


 

F-15


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

Revenue is attributed by geographic region based on ship-to location of the Company’s customers. The following table summarizes revenue by geographic region:

 

     Year Ended December 31,
       2004    2005    2006
     (in thousands)

Asia

   $ 14,332    $ 14,106    $ 18,111

North America

     1,620      1,845      2,211

Europe

     91      364      430
                    

Revenue

   $ 16,043    $ 16,315    $ 20,752
                    

3. SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS

For the year ended December 31, 2004, we had two customers that accounted for 46% and 12% of our revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2005, we had two customers that accounted for 36% and 12% of our revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2006, we had three customers that accounted for approximately 27%, 17% and 14% of our revenue.

Customers individually representing more than 10% of trade receivables accounted for approximately 51% and 66% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2005 and 2006. The Company grants credit to customers based on an evaluation of their financial condition. Losses from credit sales are provided for in the financial statements.

4. CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS

Long-term debt

The Company entered into a 2-1/2-year term loan in October 2003 with a lending institution used as general and equipment financing. The initial commitment under the agreement was $8,000,000. Draws were made on this financing from October 2003 to June 2004. Each loan is for a 30-month term with equal monthly payments of principal and interest payable over the life of the loan. Each loan included an additional interest charge ranging from 0.5682% to 0.5696% due as a terminal payment paid in the last month of the loan. On March 31, 2005, the Company amended its agreement to obtain an additional $4,000,000 general financing term loan. Payments of principal and interest commenced May 2005, with an initial payment of $140,831. The loan includes 35 equal payments of $97,399 and a final balloon payment of $1,497,399, due May 1, 2008. Under the terms of the agreement, warrants to purchase 131,096 Series C preferred shares at $0.7628 per share were issued (Note 5). The warrants are immediately exercisable and expire 10 years from the date of issuance.

In December 2005, the Company entered into a restructuring agreement with the lender to suspend monthly principal payments until December 2006. All terminal payments were extended for 12 months, with the exception of the balloon payment, which remains due on May 1, 2008. The remaining principal balance on the $4,000,000 extension loan was restructured as 17 equal payments of principal and interest of $112,700 commencing December 1, 2006 with a final principal balloon payment of $2,263,402 due on May 1, 2008. In addition, warrants to purchase 2,298,645 Series E preferred shares at $0.2806 per share were issued (Note 5). The warrants are immediately exercisable and expire 10 years


 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

from the date of issuance. Interest rates were increased by 300 basis points. The interest rate would decrease by 300 basis points in December 2006, if the Company achieved positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for fiscal quarter ending on December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2006 the Company achieved the required positive EBITDA. The agreement includes monthly operating EBITDA, revenue and capital expenditure covenants measured on a rolling two-month basis. At December 31, 2005 and 2006, the Company was in compliance with the covenants of the agreement.

Long-term debt consists of:

 

     As of December 31,  
       2005     2006  

Term loan at 11.56% effective interest rate, including $418,792 and $0 at 2005 and 2006 of accreted terminal payments, matures May 1, 2006

   $ 1,142,795     $  

Term loans at effective interest rates of 8.56% to 9.25%, including $232,674 and $243,985 at 2005 and 2006 of accreted terminal payments, maturing at various dates from May 1, 2007 through December 1, 2007

     1,346,445       1,255,018  

Term loan at 12.14% effective interest rate, including $2,263,402 at 2005 and 2006 balloon payment, matures May 1, 2008

     3,544,469       3,475,027  

Capital lease obligations

     396,159       293,760  

Less unamortized warrants

     (432,975 )     (172,810 )
                

Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations

   $ 5,996,893     $ 4,850,995  

Less current maturities

     (1,256,329 )     (2,222,957 )
                

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current maturities

   $ 4,740,564     $ 2,628,038  
                

The loans are collateralized by a blanket security agreement, which includes all the assets of the Company.

Future maturities of long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations, at December 31, 2006, are as follows:

 

Year ending December 31,       
2007    $ 1,972,395
2008      2,584,840
      
   $ 4,557,235
      

Letter of credit

At December 31, 2006, the Company had a $10,781 letter of credit with a bank for the purpose of securing a lease on office space the Company has sublet. The letter of credit is secured by a restricted certificate of deposit.


 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

Lines of credit

The Company had borrowings of $1,138,687, net of unamortized discounts of $10,668 at December 31, 2005 and borrowings of $241,006 at December 31, 2006 from a lending institution under the terms of a secured accounts receivable revolving line of credit agreement. All remaining discounts were fully amortized during 2006. The agreement also includes an option to finance up to $8,000,000 for the acquisition of equipment. On March 31, 2005, the amount of borrowings available under this line of credit was established at $3,000,000. At December 31, 2005 interest was at the US prime rate (7.25% at December 31, 2005) plus 5.5%. At December 31, 2006, borrowings bore interest at the US prime rate (8.25% at December 31, 2006) plus 2.0%.

As part of the December 2005 restructuring, a line of credit was added to the loan agreement for up to 50% of eligible inventory, not to exceed $1,500,000. Borrowings under this line bear interest at the US prime rate (8.25% at December 31, 2006) plus 2.0%. At December 31, 2006, $731,665 was outstanding on this line of credit. The accounts receivable and inventory lines of credit expire on October 24, 2007.

Capital lease obligations

The Company leases certain machinery and equipment for use in the business. On March 6, 2005, the Company entered into a $400,000, 36 month capital lease agreement to purchase machinery. The lease bears an interest rate of 21.57% and is payable in monthly payments of principal and interest of $14,920. On April 4, 2006, the Company entered into a $17,485 capital lease agreement to purchase equipment. The lease is payable in 12 monthly payments of $1,457. On September 25, 2006, the Company entered into a $101,958 capital lease agreement to purchase equipment. A down payment of $10,545 was made on signing. The remainder of the lease is payable in three equal installments of $31,583 commencing on January 25, 2007. The lease bears an interest rate of 5.86%.

Future maturities of capital lease obligations are as follows:

 

Year ending December 31,

        

2007

   $ 278,160  

2008

     44,761  
        

Total minimum lease payments

     322,921  

Amount representing interest

     (29,161 )
        

Present value of minimum lease payments, including current portion

   $ 293,760  
        

5. REDEEMABLE EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Restricted common stock

The Company has outstanding restricted common stock held by certain employees pursuant to restricted common stock agreements. The restrictions are removed based on certain vesting criteria. Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2005 were 256. There was no restricted common stock outstanding at December 31, 2006.


 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

Redeemable convertible preferred stock

The Company has concluded that the economic characteristics of the redeemable convertible preferred stock are more akin to equity than debt in accordance with FAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and FAS 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” (“FAS 150”). There are several characteristics that properly characterize the preferred stock as being more like equity than debt. They are as follows:

 

Ø  

Voting rights;

 

Ø  

Participation with common stock in dividends in excess of fixed dividends;

 

Ø  

Restrictions on the reissuance of preferred stock once it has been converted to common stock; and

 

Ø  

Liquidation rights, which are considered residual interest in that preferred stockholders participate on an “as converted” basis with common stockholders for any remaining proceeds.

There are two characteristics that more properly characterize the preferred stock as being more like debt than equity:

 

Ø  

The redemption features (i.e., put option); and

 

Ø  

Cumulative fixed dividends.

However, the Company’s preferred stock is redeemable at the option of the holder and is not mandatorily redeemable as defined by FAS 150. Based on the above economic characteristics and that the preferred stock is not mandatorily redeemable, the preferred stock and related dividends are not recorded as a liability.

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, the Company had redeemable convertible preferred stock, as follows:

 

       As of December 31,
       2005    2006
     (in thousands)

Authorized shares

     129,895      139,786
             

Outstanding shares:

     

Series A

     1,969      1,969

Series B

     11,445      11,445

Series B-2

     14,001      14,001

Series C

     3,357      3,357

Series C-2

     12,693      12,693

Series D

     865      865

Series D-2

     5,258      5,258

Series E

     26,764      46,682
             

Total outstanding shares

     76,352      96,270
             

Liquidation amounts:

     

Series A

   $ 17,733    $ 18,358

Series B and B-2

     30,521      32,464

Series C and C-2

     13,971      15,368

Series D and D-2

     5,350      5,884

Series E

     11,300      20,749
             

Total liquidation amounts

   $ 78,875    $ 92,823
             

 

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Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

       As of December 31,
       2005    2006
     (in thousands)

Cumulative proceeds, net of issuance costs:

     

Series A

   $ 10,473    $ 10,473

Series B and B-2

     14,204      14,204

Series C and C-2

     12,142      12,142

Series D and D-2

     4,982      4,982

Series E

     7,436      12,989
             

Total cumulative proceeds, net of issuance costs

   $ 49,237    $ 54,790
             

The Company has issued various series of preferred stock. At anytime after December 15, 2008, the holders of Series E, D, D-2, C, C-2, B, B-2 and A preferred stock have the option to sell their shares back to the Company at the greater of original purchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends, or the current fair market value of the shares plus accrued and unpaid dividends. As a result, the carrying value of the preferred stock has been increased by an accretion each period so that the carrying amounts will equal the greater of original purchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends, or the current fair market value of the shares plus accrued and unpaid dividends for the Series E, D, D-2, C, C-2, B, B-2 and A preferred stock. The accreted amounts have been restated to record the accretion to additional paid-in capital, if any, and then to accumulated deficit (see Note 12). The option to redeem and the related accretion of the preferred shares will terminate upon the closing of a qualified public offering.

As of December 31, 2005, the excess of fair market value of the Company’s Series B and B-2 preferred stock over the original purchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends decreased by $5,161,000 from December 31, 2004. This decrease was primarily offset by an increase in fair market value of the Company’s Series E preferred stock over the same period to arrive at the net credit balance for accretion of redeemable preferred stock of $4,404,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Dividend conversion feature

The Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock provides that the holder, at their discretion, can require the conversion of accumulated dividends into either cash or common stock based upon stated conversion rates. Accordingly, in accordance with EITF 00-27, “Application of Issue No. 98-5 to Certain Convertible Instruments”, any excess of the fair value of common stock the holder would receive over the accumulated dividends is recorded as the dividends are accrued. At December 31, 2006, the accumulated dividends were greater than the value of the shares the holder would receive upon conversion.

Series E redeemable convertible preferred stock

During 2005, the Company sold 26,762,892 shares of its Series E preferred stock at $0.2806 per share. In November 2005, 19,601,160 of those shares were issued simultaneously with the first sale of the Series E stock, as a result of the automatic conversion of $5,500,000 of principal under certain promissory notes issued by the Company from August 2005 through October 2005. In connection with the promissory notes, the Company issued detachable warrants, the number and exercise price of which were not known until the completion of the subsequent financing in November 2005. The Company recorded the fair value of the warrants of $773,621 and beneficial interest upon conversion of $678,000. The remaining 7,161,732 shares were sold in November and December 2005. In early 2006, the Company sold 19,918,625 shares of its Series E preferred stock at $0.2806 per share.

Each share of Series E preferred stock has a $0.001 par value. Each share of Series E preferred stock is entitled to a liquidation preference equal to $0.4210 per share plus any accrued but unpaid dividends on


 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

such share. The liquidation preference on the Series E is payable in preference to the payment of all liquidation preferences on all other series of preferred stock of the Company and participates pro rata with the common stock and the other series of preferred stock in any remaining assets of the Company after payment of all the liquidation preferences on outstanding preferred stock.

Each share of Series E preferred stock accrues cumulative dividends at a rate of $0.02806 per annum, compounded annually. At December 31, 2006, accumulated and undeclared dividends were $1,096,021. Each outstanding share of the Series E stock is convertible into 0.0769 share of the Company’s common stock and, at the option of the holder, accrued dividends on such share are convertible into shares of common stock at the rate of $3.6478 per share. The rate at which the Series E stock converts into common stock is subject to adjustment in certain events. The holders of Series E preferred stock are entitled to vote on all matters on which holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to vote, voting on an as-converted basis, except as the holders of common stock are entitled to vote as a separate class of stock as provided by law or the Company’s certificate of incorporation.

Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock

During 2005, the Company sold 6,123,619 shares of its Series D preferred stock at $0.8312 per share. Of those shares, 2,514,388 were issued simultaneously with the first sale of the Series D stock, as a result of the automatic conversion of $2,000,000 of principal under certain promissory notes issued by the Company in March 2005.

In connection with the sales of Series E preferred stock of the Company, certain holders participating in the Series E offering were entitled to and exchanged 5,258,432 shares of Series D stock for 5,258,432 shares of a newly authorized series of preferred stock called Series D-2 preferred stock. The terms, rights and preferences of the Series D stock and the Series D-2 stock are identical except for the rate by which such stock and related dividends are convertible into common stock of the Company. More specifically, the Series D stock is not entitled to any anti-dilution adjustment to the rate by which the Series D stock is convertible into common stock by reason of the issuance of the Series E stock.

Each share of Series D and D-2 preferred stock has a $0.001 par value. In liquidation, each share of Series D and D-2 preferred stock is entitled to a liquidation preference equal to $0.8312 per share plus any accrued but unpaid dividends on such share. The liquidation preference on the Series D and D-2 stock is payable only after payment in full of the liquidation preference payable with respect to the Series E stock, but in preference to the payment of all liquidation preferences on all other series of Company’s preferred stock. After payment of all the liquidation preferences attributable to the preferred stock, the holders of the outstanding Series D and D-2 stock participate pro rata with the common stock and each other series of preferred stock in the distribution of any remaining assets of the Company.

Each share of Series D and D-2 preferred stock accrues cumulative dividends at a rate of $0.08312 per annum, compounded annually. At December 31, 2006, accumulated and undeclared Series D-2 and D dividends were $682,086 and $112,226, respectively. Each outstanding share of the Series D stock is convertible into 0.0995 shares of the Company’s common stock and, at the option of the holder; accrued dividends on such share are convertible into shares of common stock at the rate of $8.3499 per share. Each outstanding share of the Series D-2 stock is convertible into 0.1246 shares of the Company’s common stock and, at the option of the holder, accrued dividends on such share are convertible into shares of common stock at the rate of $6.669 per share. The rate at which the Series D and D-2 stock converts into common stock is subject to future adjustment in certain events. The holders of Series D and D-2 preferred stock are entitled to vote on all matters on which holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to vote, voting on an as-converted basis, except as the holders of common stock are entitled to vote as a separate class of stock as provided by law or the Company’s certificate of incorporation.


 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

Series C redeemable convertible preferred stock

In 2005, in connection with the sales of Series E preferred stock of the Company, certain holders participating in the Series E offering were entitled to and exchanged 12,693,013 outstanding shares of Series C preferred stock for 12,693,013 shares of a newly authorized series of preferred stock called Series C-2 preferred stock. The terms, rights and preferences of the Series C stock and the Series C-2 stock are identical except for the rate by which such stock and related dividends are convertible into common stock of the Company. More specifically, the Series C stock is not entitled to any anti-dilution adjustment to the rate by which the Series C stock is convertible into common stock by reason of the issuance of the Series E stock.

Each share of Series C and C-2 preferred stock has a $0.001 par value. In liquidation, each share of Series C and C-2 preferred stock is entitled to a liquidation preference equal to $0.7628 per share plus any accrued but unpaid dividends on such share. The liquidation preference on the Series C and C-2 stock is payable only after payment in full of the liquidation preference payable with respect to the Series E, D and D-2 stock but in preference to the payment of all liquidation preferences on all other series of the Company’s preferred stock. After payment of all the liquidation preferences attributable to the preferred stock, the holders of the outstanding Series C and C-2 stock participate pro rata with the common stock and each of the other series of preferred stock in the distribution of any remaining assets of the Company.

Each share of Series C and C-2 preferred stock accrues cumulative dividends at a rate of $0.07628 per annum, compounded annually. At December 31, 2006, accumulated and undeclared Series C-2 and C dividends were $2,471,861 and $653,662, respectively. Each outstanding share of the Series C stock is convertible into 0.0784 shares of the Company’s common stock and, at the option of the holder, accrued dividends on such share are convertible into shares of common stock at the rate of $9.7357 per share. Each outstanding share of the Series C-2 stock is convertible into 0.1009 shares of the Company’s common stock and, at the option of the holder, accrued dividends on such share are convertible into shares of common stock at the rate of $7.5595 per share. The rate at which the Series C and C-2 stock converts into common stock is subject to future adjustment in certain events. The holders of Series C and C-2 preferred stock are entitled to vote on all matters on which holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to vote, voting on an as-converted basis, except as the holders of common stock are entitled to vote as a separate class of stock as provided by law or the Company’s certificate of incorporation.

Series B redeemable convertible preferred stock

In 2005, in connection with the sales of Series E preferred stock of the Company, certain holders participating in the Series E offering were entitled to and exchanged 14,001,191 outstanding shares of Series B stock for 14,001,191 shares of a newly authorized series of preferred stock called Series B-2 stock. The terms, rights and preferences of the Series B stock and the Series B-2 stock are identical except for the amount of the liquidation preference and the rate by which such stock and related dividends are convertible into common stock of the Company. The Series B stock is not entitled to any anti-dilution adjustment to the rate by which the Series B stock is convertible into common stock by reason of the issuance of the Series E stock.

Each share of Series B and B-2 preferred stock has a $0.001 par value. In liquidation, each share of Series B preferred stock is entitled to a liquidation preference equal to $0.8415 per share and each share of Series B-2 preferred stock is entitled to a liquidation preference equal to $1.122 per share, in each case


 

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Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

plus any accrued but unpaid dividends on such share. The liquidation preference on the Series B and B-2 stock is payable only after payment in full of the liquidation preference payable with respect to the Series E, D, D-2, C and C-2 stock but in preference to the payment of all liquidation preferences on shares of the Company’s Series A preferred stock. After payment of all the liquidation preferences attributable to the preferred stock, the holders of the outstanding Series B and B-2 stock participate pro rata with the common stock and each of the other series of preferred stock in the distribution of any remaining assets of the Company.

Each share of Series B and B-2 preferred stock accrues cumulative dividends at a rate of $0.056 per annum, compounded annually. At December 31, 2006, accumulated and undeclared Series B-2 and B dividends were $3,919,698 and $3,204,148, respectively. Each outstanding share of the Series B stock is convertible into 0.0769 share of the Company’s common stock and, at the option of the holder; accrued dividends on such share are convertible into shares of common stock at the rate of $7.28 per share. Each outstanding share of the Series B-2 stock is convertible into 0.1535 shares of the Company’s common stock and, at the option of the holder, accrued dividends on such share are convertible into shares of common stock at the rate of $3.6478 per share. The rate at which the Series B and B-2 stock converts into common stock is subject to future adjustment in certain events. The holders of Series B and B-2 preferred stock are entitled to vote on all matters on which holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to vote, voting on an as-converted basis, except as the holders of common stock are entitled to vote as a separate class of stock as provided by law or the Company’s certificate of incorporation.

Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock

Each share of Series A stock has a $0.001 par value. In liquidation, each share of Series A stock is entitled to a liquidation preference equal to $7.9785 per share plus any accrued but unpaid dividends on such share. The liquidation preference on the Series A stock is payable only after payment in full of the liquidation preference payable with respect to all of the other outstanding series of preferred stock. After payment of all the liquidation preferences attributable to the preferred stock, the holders of the outstanding Series A stock participate pro rata with the common stock and each of the other series of preferred stock in the distribution of any remaining assets of the Company, except that the holders of Series A are limited in their further distribution pursuant to a formula set forth in the Company’s certificate of incorporation.

Each share of Series A preferred stock accrues cumulative dividends at a rate of $0.26595 per annum, compounded annually. At December 31, 2006, accumulated and undeclared Series A dividends were $2,647,658. Each outstanding share of the Series A stock is convertible into 0.5536 shares of the Company’s common stock and, at the option of the holder, accrued dividends on such share are convertible into shares of common stock at the rate of $9.6083 per share. The rate at which the Series A stock converts into common stock is subject to future adjustment in certain events. The holders of Series A preferred stock are entitled to vote on all matters on which holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to vote, voting on an as-converted basis, except as the holders of common stock are entitled to vote as a separate class of stock as provided by law or the Company’s certificate of incorporation.

Warrants

At December 31, 2006, the Company had 6,790,802, 131,096, 647,379, 1,792,351 and 17,000 warrants outstanding for the purchase of the Company’s Series E, C, B-2, B and A preferred stock at a price per


 

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Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

share of $0.2806, $0.7628, $0.56, $0.56 and $5.319. The warrants are immediately exercisable. The warrants will be net exercised or exercisable for common stock upon the closing of an initial public offering. All warrant holders have the option to convert the warrants into a number of shares determined by dividing (a) the aggregate fair market value of the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant less the aggregate warrant price of such shares by (b) the fair value of one share. In addition, certain warrants contain an automatic exercise provision whereby the warrants shall be deemed automatically exercised immediately before the expiration or termination of the warrant if the fair value of one share of either (a) the preferred stock subject to the warrant or (b) the Company’s common stock issuable upon conversion, is greater than the warrant price.

As discussed in Note 1, in 2006, the Company adopted FSP 150-5 resulting in the reclassification of the carrying value of the preferred stock warrants as a liability and began recording the warrants at fair value at each reporting period with any increase or decrease in fair value reported in other income (expense). For the year ended December 31, 2006, $221,000 was recorded as the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and $1,962,000 was recorded in other income (expense) as the change in value for the year. The assumptions used in the Company’s Black-Scholes option pricing model for Series E, C, B-2, B and A warrants at January 1, 2006 upon the adoption of FSP 150-5 were: (i) remaining contractual term of 2.1 to 9.9 years; (ii) risk-free interest rates of 4.82% to 4.86%; (iii) expected volatility from 50% to 79%; and (iv) no expected dividend yield. The assumptions used in the Company’s Black-Scholes option pricing model for Series E, C, B, B-2 and A warrants at December 31, 2006 were : (i) remaining contractual term of 1.3 to 9.1 years; (ii) risk-free interest rates of 4.70% to 5%; (iii) expected volatility of 47% to 76%; and (iv) no expected dividend yield.

During 2006, the Company issued warrants to purchase 571,988 of its Series E preferred stock in conjunction with a loan guarantee and an executive search. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.2806, are immediately exercisable, and expire 10 years from the date of issuance. The fair value of the warrants of $81,230 and $31,648 was recorded as interest and recruiting expense.

During 2005, the Company issued warrants to purchase 3,920,169 shares of its Series E preferred stock in conjunction with the issuance of $5,500,000 of convertible promissory notes issued by the Company to investors from August 2005 through October 2005. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.2806, are immediately exercisable, and expire 10 years from the date of issuance. The fair value of the warrants of $773,621 and the value of the beneficial conversion feature contained in the notes of $678,000 were recorded as a debt discount at the time the warrants were granted. Interest expense in the amount of $1,451,621 was recorded in 2005 to reflect accretion of the loan.

During 2005, the Company issued warrants to purchase 2,298,645 shares of its Series E preferred stock in conjunction with the restructuring of loans. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.2806, are immediately exercisable, and expire 10 years from the date of issuance. The fair value of the warrants, $454,575 , was recorded as a reduction in the amount of the loan at the time the warrants were granted. Interest expense in the amount of $21,600 and $260,165 was recorded in 2005 and 2006 to reflect accretion of the loan.

During 2005, the Company issued warrants to purchase 131,096 shares of its Series C preferred stock in conjunction with the procurement of loans. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.7628, are immediately exercisable, and expire 10 years from the date of issuance. The fair value of the warrants, approximately $5,565 , was recorded as a reduction in the amount of the loan at the time the warrants were granted. Interest expense in the amount of $5,565 was recorded in 2005 to reflect accretion of the loan.


 

F-24


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

During 2003, the Company issued warrants to purchase a total of 2,238,837 shares of its Series B preferred stock in conjunction with the procurement of loans. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.56 and expire as follows:

 

Number
of warrants

  Term

1,060,270

    5 years from date of issuance

1,071,421

    10 years from date of issuance or upon IPO

107,146

    10 years from date of issuance or 5 years after an IPO

The fair value of the warrants, approximately $47,000, was recorded as a debt discount at the time the warrants were granted. Interest expense in the amount of $15,647 was recorded in 2005 and 2004 to reflect the accretion of the loan. In 2005, in connection with the Company’s Series E preferred stock financing, holders of 647,379 of the 5 year term warrants to purchase Series B preferred stock converted their warrants to warrants to purchase shares of Series B-2 preferred stock.

During 2002, the Company issued warrants to purchase 200,893 shares of its Series B preferred stock in conjunction with the procurement of loans. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.56, are immediately exercisable, and expire 10 years from the date of issuance or 5 years after an IPO. The fair value of the warrants, approximately $78,000, was recorded as a reduction in the amount of the loan at the time the warrants were granted. The loans were repaid during 2003 and approximately $56,000 of unamortized warrants was recorded as interest expense.

During 2001, the Company issued warrants to purchase 894,367 shares of its Series A preferred stock in conjunction with the procurement of loans. During 2002, the Company canceled 867,966 of the warrants for no value. The warrants have an exercise price of $5.319 subject to adjustment for an initial public offering, merger, consolidation or sale of the Company. The warrants are immediately exercisable, and 9,401 warrants expired in 2006 and 17,000 warrants will expire in 2008.

The fair value of warrants issued in 2005 and 2006 were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 4.39%, zero dividend yield, expected lives through the expiration dates, and volatility of 84%. The fair value of warrants issued from 2001 to 2003 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 2.8%, no dividend yield, expected lives through the expiration dates, and volatility of 65%.

6. STOCK OPTIONS

The Company sponsors a stock option plan, the 2001 Equity Plan (the “Plan”), which allows for the grant of incentive and nonqualified stock options for the purchase of common stock. Each option entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at the specified option exercise price. The exercise price of each incentive stock option granted must not be less than the fair market value on the grant date. At the discretion of management and with the approval of the Board of Directors, the Company may grant options under the Plan. Management and the Board of Directors determine vesting periods and expiration dates at the time of the grant.


 

F-25


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the activity of the stock options:

 

      

Shares
available
for grant

    Number of
options
outstanding
    Weighted-
average
exercise
price

Outstanding at December 31, 2003

   10,144     329,039     $ 1.56

Authorized

   328,701      

Granted

   (359,635 )   359,635       4.94

Exercised

       (58 )     1.56

Canceled/forfeited

   51,452     (51,452 )     1.56
              

Outstanding at December 31, 2004

   30,662     637,164       3.51

Authorized

   665,615      

Granted

   (31,058 )   31,058       4.94

Exercised

       (21,163 )     1.82

Canceled/forfeited

   89,462     (89,462 )     3.64
              

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

   754,681     557,597       3.51

Authorized

   149,052      

Granted

   (912,456 )   912,456       0.85

Exercised

       (2,885 )     4.94

Canceled/forfeited

   362,722     (370,943 )     3.26
              

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

   353,999     1,096,225     $ 1.41
              

The following table sets forth option grants made during 2006 with intrinsic value calculated based on grant date fair value.

 

Date of Grant    Number of
options
granted
   Exercise
price
   Fair value
estimate
per share
   Intrinsic
value
per share

January 2006

   471,022    $ 0.91    $ 0.39   

February 2006

   47,102      0.78      0.39   

April 2006

   23,551      0.78      0.39   

July 2006

   365,782      0.78      0.39   

August 2006

   1,538      0.78      0.26   

September 2006

   1,538      0.78      0.26   

October 2006

   1,923      0.78      0.26   
At December 31, 2006, the exercise prices of outstanding options was as follows:
Exercise Price   

Number of

options
outstanding

  

Average

remaining

contractual life

(years)

  

Number of

options

exercisable

$0.78

   426,742    9.51   

  0.91

   471,022    9.01    471,022

  1.56

   57,240    6.37    56,846

  4.94

   141,221    7.98    67,553
            
   1,096,225    8.22    595,421
            

 

F-26


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

The Company’s aggregate intrinsic value, calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying stock options and the fair value of the Company’s common stock, was zero for options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2006. The intrinsic value of options exercised was zero for the three years ended 2004, 2005 and 2006.

During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Company granted stock options to employees at exercise prices deemed by the Board of Directors to be at least equal to the fair value of the common stock at the time of grant. The fair value of the common stock at the original grant date was based on a variety of factors including:

 

Ø  

prices of the Company’s preferred stock issued to investors in arms-length transactions, and the rights, preferences and privileges of the Company’s preferred stock relative to those of the Company’s common stock;

 

Ø  

the Company’s results of operations and financial status;

 

Ø  

the Company’s stage of development and business strategy;

 

Ø  

the composition of and changes to the Company’s management team; and

 

Ø  

the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event for the shares of the Company’s common stock underlying stock options, such as an initial public offering of the Company’s common stock or the Company’s sale to a third party, given prevailing market conditions.

Upon the completion of the Company’s valuation reports in 2007, for financial reporting purposes, the Company determined that it was appropriate to use $0.39 per share for options granted between January and July 2006, and $0.26 per share for options granted between August and October 2006 as the fair value within the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

Upon the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value stock options. The Company uses historical stock prices of companies which it considers as a peer group as the basis for its volatility assumptions. The assumed risk-free rates were based on US Treasury rates in effect at the time of grant with a term consistent with the expected option lives. The expected term is based upon the vesting term of the Company’s options, a review of a peer group of companies, and expected exercise behavior. The forfeiture rate is based on past history of forfeited options. The expense is being allocated using the straight-line method. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company recorded $61,958 of stock compensation expense related to the adoption of SFAS 123R. As of December 31, 2006, the Company has $48,391 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards granted under the Company’s stock-based plans that it expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 3.45 years. Under the prospective method of adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company continues to account for options issued prior to January 1, 2006 under the intrinsic value method of APB 25.

The weighted average fair value per share of options granted for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 was $0.12 and the fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using an expected term of 4.8 years, risk-free interest rate of $4.52%, expected volatility of 60% and no dividend yield. The Company used an expected forfeiture rate of 25% in 2006.


 

F-27


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

7. INCOME TAXES

There was no income tax provision (benefit) recorded for 2004, 2005 and 2006.

The reconciliation of income tax computed at the federal statutory rate to loss before taxes is as follows:

 

         Year ended December 31,  
        

2004

    2005    

2006

 

Federal statutory rate

     (34.00 )%   (34.00 )%   (34.00 )%

State taxes

     (4.80 )%   (4.80 )%   (4.82 )%

Permanent differences

     0.11  %   0.09  %   1.07  %

Valuation allowance

     38.69  %   38.71  %   37.75  %
                    
     0.00  %   0.00  %   0.00  %
                    

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of the temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

Significant components of the Company’s net deferred income taxes are as follows at December 31:

 

       2005     2006  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 82,676     $ 56,853  

Inventory adjustments

     133,005       276,055  

Accrued liabilities

     141,390       126,699  

Warrant interest expense

     322,997       459,660  

Net operating loss carryforward

     13,114,372       15,058,601  
                

Total deferred tax assets

     13,794,440       15,977,868  

Less valuation allowance

     (12,202,819 )     (14,349,639 )
                

Net deferred tax assets

     1,591,621       1,628,229  

Deferred tax liability:

    

Depreciation

     (1,591,621 )     (1,628,229 )
                

Net deferred taxes

   $     $  
                

SFAS 109 requires a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets reported if, based on the weight of the evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management has determined that a $12,202,819 and $14,349,639 valuation allowance at December 31, 2005 and 2006 is necessary to reduce the tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The change in valuation allowance for the current year is $2,146,820. At December 31, 2006, the Company had separate federal and Illinois net operating loss carryforwards of $38,792,831 which begin to expire in 2021 and 2013. The utilization of these net operating loss carryforwards may be subject to limitations based upon certain ownership changes. As of December 31, 2006, no tax benefit has been recognized for these loss carryforwards.

8. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

In July 2000, the Company entered into an operating lease with a former officer and director for an office and manufacturing building. The lease term was seven years, requiring monthly payments of $3,000, and the Company’s proportionate share of operating expenses and real estate taxes.


 

F-28


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

In August 2005, the Company renegotiated the operating lease with the related party. The lease term is five years, requiring monthly payments of $10,000 with an annual increase of 6%, and the Company’s proportionate share of operating expenses and real estate taxes. The rent expense under the lease was $36,000, $71,000 and $123,000 for 2004, 2005 and 2006.

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating Leases

The Company has an office lease with a term of seven years, which commenced on November 1, 2000. Among other items, the lease requires monthly base payments of $12,855 and the Company’s proportionate share of operating expenses and real estate taxes. During 2002, the Company vacated this facility and subleased the facility to a third party, and recorded the present value of the expected net expense of the lease and sublease in the amount of $252,000.

The Company has a lease with a related party, a former officer and director, for a building that contains manufacturing and office space. The lease term is five years commencing on August 1, 2005. Among other items, the lease requires monthly payments of $10,000 and the Company’s proportionate share of operating expenses and real estate taxes. In addition, the Company leases other buildings used for manufacturing and offices. The leases provide for payment of the Company’s proportionate share of operating expenses and real estate taxes.

In addition to its facility leases, the Company has an operating lease for office equipment. Net rent expense under operating leases in 2004, 2005 and 2006 amounted to $542,561, $922,744, and $1,047,818.

Future minimum payments under all leases are as follows:

 

Year ending December 31,    Operating
leases
   Sublease
income
    Total

2007

   $ 1,135,667    $ (171,120 )   $ 964,547

2008

     822,298      —         822,298

2009

     836,373      —         836,373

2010

     738,643      —         738,643

2011

     633,577      —         633,577

2012 and thereafter

     2,163,000      —         2,163,000

Litigation

From time to time, the Company experiences routine litigation in the normal course of its business. The management of the Company does not believe any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

10. BENEFIT PLAN

The Company sponsors a 401(k) savings plan (the “Plan”). Employees are eligible to participate in the Plan upon reaching 21 years of age. Employees make contributions to the Plan through payroll deferrals and employer matching contributions are discretionary. Employer matching contributions were $3,176, $11,282 and $9,003 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006.


 

F-29


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 9, 2007, the Company entered into a three year $12,000,000 term loan and one year $4,000,000 accounts receivable and inventory revolving line of credit financing agreement. An initial draw of $8,100,000 was made on that date and $5,093,674 was used to retire all outstanding term debt, line of credit debt, terminal payments and debt fees. The term loan is available for draw through December 31, 2007 with an extension to April 30, 2008 if the Company achieves a fiscal year 2007 EBITDA of $1,200,000. The term loan has an interest only period through October 31, 2007. The Company can earn two additional quarters of interest-only if the trailing quarterly EBITDA is in excess of $500,000. Once the interest only period ends, equal monthly principal payments are made through December 2010. The term loan interest rate is prime plus 3.375% and the line of credit rate is prime plus .25%. Proceeds of the loan will be used for general working capital purposes and to finance capital expansion. The line of credit expires on April 1, 2008. Series E warrants to purchase 1,710,620 shares of Series E preferred stock were issued as part of this transaction. These warrants had an estimated fair market value of $596,151 at issuance.

On April 10, 2007, the Company dissolved a wholly-owned subsidiary that had no operations, assets, liabilities or equity.

On August 29, 2007, the board of directors approved the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (“2007 Plan”) under which both unqualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards and bonus shares may be granted to employees, directors and consultants. The 2007 Plan will be administered by a committee of the board of directors and the maximum number of shares that may be issued under the 2007 Plan is 2,307,692 common shares. On August 30, 2007, the stockholders approved the 2007 Plan.

On August 29, 2007, the board of directors approved a 1 for 13 reverse split of the common stock which became effective August 30, 2007. Accordingly, all prior period common stock amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 1 for 13 reverse stock split. This split of the common stock resulted in an automatic change in the conversion price of all series of preferred stock and their related dividend conversion rate at the same 1 for 13 ratio. The adjustments to the preferred stock conversion rates on a per share basis and the rate for converting accrued dividends into common stock are set forth in the table below:

 

     Stock conversion rate    Dividend conversion rate
Preferred stock series    Pre-split    Post-split    Pre-split    Post-split

Series A

   7.1966    0.5536    0.7391    9.6083

Series B

   1.0000    0.0769    0.5600    7.2800

Series B-2

   1.9957    0.1535    0.2806    3.6478

Series C

   1.0186    0.0784    0.7489    9.7357

Series C-2

   1.3118    0.1009    0.5815    7.5595

Series D

   1.2941    0.0995    0.6423    8.3499

Series D-2

   1.6203    0.1246    0.5130    6.6690

Series E

   1.0000    0.0769    0.2806    3.6478

As disclosed in Note 1, upon the closing of an IPO, all of the outstanding shares of Series A, B, B-2, C, C-2, D, D-2 and E preferred stock shall automatically be converted into shares of common stock, if the aggregate proceeds of the IPO are $25 million or greater and if the common stock price is not less than


 

F-30


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

$65.00 per share. On August 30, 2007, the Company filed an amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation to amend the definition of an IPO to state that all of the outstanding shares Series A, B, B-2, C, C-2, D, D-2 and E preferred stock shall automatically be converted into shares of common stock, if the aggregate proceeds of the IPO are $25 million or greater (prior to deduction of any underwriting discount or other expenses and including proceeds received by the Company upon exercise of any overallotment by the underwriters).

On August 30, 2007, the board of directors and stockholders approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation which would take effect upon closing of the Company’s anticipated initial public offering and which Certificate of Incorporation would authorize the issuance of 75,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

12. RESTATEMENT

Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Company’s management determined that the recording of the accretion of preferred stock to redemption value and dividends on preferred stock to accumulated deficit was incorrect. Due to the Company having an accumulated deficit rather than retained earnings, the accretion of preferred stock to redemption value and dividends on preferred stock should be first recorded to additional paid-in capital and then to accumulated deficit after additional paid-in capital is reduced to zero. As a result, the Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, and the Statements of Redeemable Equity and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 have been restated from amounts previously reported.

 

    Year Ended December 31, 2004  
      As
Previously
Reported
    Effect of
Adjustment
    As
Restated
 

Statements of redeemable equity and stockholders’ equity (deficit):

     

Balance at December 31, 2003—Additional paid-in capital

  $ 25,466     $ (5,250 )   $ 20,216  

Balance at December 31, 2003—Accumulated deficit

  $ (44,673 )   $ 5,250     $ (39,423 )

Accretion of preferred stock to redemption value—Accumulated deficit

  $ (5,312 )   $ 5,312     $  

Accretion of preferred stock to redemption value—Additional paid-in capital

  $     $ (2,681 )   $ (2,681 )

Dividends on preferred stock—Additional paid-in capital

  $     $ (2,631 )   $ (2,631 )

Balance at December 31, 2004—Additional paid-in capital

  $ 25,466     $ (10,562 )   $ 14,904  

Balance at December 31, 2004—Accumulated deficit

  $ (55,346 )   $ 10,562     $ (44,784 )

 

F-31


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


Notes to financial statements — (Continued)

 

    Year Ended December 31, 2005  
      As
Previously
Reported
    Effect of
Adjustment
    As
Restated
 

Statements of redeemable equity and stockholders’ equity (deficit):

     

Balance at December 31, 2004—Additional paid-in capital

  $ 25,466     $ (10,562 )   $ 14,904  

Balance at December 31, 2004—Accumulated deficit

  $ (55,346 )   $ 10,562     $ (44,784 )

Accretion of preferred stock to redemption value—Accumulated deficit

  $ 480     $ (480 )   $  

Accretion of preferred stock to redemption value—Additional paid-in capital

  $     $ 4,404     $ 4,404  

Dividends on preferred stock—Additional paid-in capital

  $     $ (3,924 )   $ (3,924 )

Balance at December 31, 2005—Additional paid-in capital

  $ 27,416     $ (10,082 )   $ 17,334  

Balance at December 31, 2005—Accumulated deficit

  $ (66,992 )   $ 10,082     $ (56,910 )

Balance Sheets:

     

Additional paid-in capital

  $ 27,416     $ (10,082 )   $ 17,334  

Accumulated deficit

  $ (66,992 )   $ 10,082     $ (56,910 )

 

    Year Ended December 31, 2006  
      As
Previously
Reported
    Effect of
Adjustment
    As
Restated
 

Statements of redeemable equity and stockholders’ equity (deficit):

     

Balance at December 31, 2005—Additional paid-in capital

  $ 27,416     $ (10,082 )   $ 17,334  

Balance at December 31, 2005—Accumulated deficit

  $ (66,992 )   $ 10,082     $ (56,910 )

Accretion of preferred stock to redemption value—Accumulated deficit

  $ (28,979 )   $ 15,933     $ (13,046 )

Accretion of preferred stock to redemption value—Additional paid-in capital

  $     $ (10,370 )   $ (10,370 )

Dividends on preferred stock—Additional paid-in capital

  $     $ (5,563 )   $ (5,563 )

Balance at December 31, 2006—Additional paid-in capital

  $ 26,015     $ (26,015 )   $  

Balance at December 31, 2006—Accumulated deficit

  $ (103,611 )   $ 26,015     $ (77,596 )

Balance Sheets:

     

Additional paid-in capital

  $ 26,015     $ (26,015 )   $  

Accumulated deficit

  $ (103,611 )   $ 26,015     $ (77,596 )

 

F-32


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


 

Balance sheets

 

      

December 31,
2006

(Restated )

   

September 30,

2007

   

Pro forma
stockholders’
equity

(deficit) at

September 30,

2007

 
           (unaudited)  
    

(in thousands, other than share data)

 

Assets

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,638     $ 1,166    

Restricted cash

     19       19    

Accounts receivable, net

     2,925       4,088    

Inventories, net

     1,631       2,410    

Spare parts

     806       1,509    

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     681       356    
                  

Total current assets

     9,700       9,548    

Property and equipment, net

     19,263       23,348    

Other assets

     57       1,947    
                  

Total assets

   $ 29,020     $ 34,843    
                  

Liabilities, redeemable equity and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

      

Accounts payable

   $ 1,481     $ 3,103    

Current maturities of long-term debt

     1,972       670    

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

     251       84    

Lines of credit, net of unamortized discount

     973       1,000    

Accrued payroll

     756       790    

Deferred revenue

           833    

Accrued and other current liabilities

     882       773    

Convertible preferred stock warrant liability

     3,773       7,929    
                  

Total current liabilities

     10,088       15,182    

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current maturities

     2,628       3,914    
                  

Total liabilities

     12,716       19,096    
                  

Commitments and contingencies

      

Redeemable equity

      

Redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 139,785,871 shares authorized at December 31, 2006, and 140,285,871 authorized at September 30, 2007; 96,270,146 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007; liquidation amount: $92,823 and $94,003 at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007; pro forma: $0.001 par value, no shares authorized, issued or outstanding

     93,897       142,284    
                      

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

      

Preferred stock, pro forma $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 undesignated shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding

      

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 85,000,000 shares authorized and 252,183 and 521,814 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007; pro forma: $0.001 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 13,739,637 shares issued and outstanding

     3       7     15  

Additional paid-in capital—as restated

               150,205  

Accumulated deficit—as restated

     (77,596 )     (126,544 )   (126,544 )
                      

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     (77,593 )     (126,537 )   23,676  
                      

Total liabilities, redeemable equity and stockholders’
equity (deficit)

   $ 29,020     $ 34,843    
                  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


 

F-33


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


 

Statements of operations

 

     Nine months ended
September 30,
 
       2006      2007  
     (unaudited)  
     (in thousands, other than share
and per share data)
 

Revenue

   $ 14,698      $ 24,565  

Cost of goods sold

     13,910        16,236  
                 

Gross profit

     788        8,329  
                 

Operating expenses:

     

General and administrative

     2,620        3,578  

Sales and marketing

     889        492  

Research and development

     519        553  

Loss on disposal of assets

     35        139  
                 

Profit (loss) from operations

     (3,275 )      3,567  
                 

Other income (expense):

     

Change in carrying value of convertible preferred stock warrants

     (883 )      (3,560 )

Interest income

     5        3  

Interest expense

     (1,021 )      (823 )
                 

Total other income (expense)

     (1,899 )      (4,380 )
                 

Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     (5,174 )      (813 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     (221 )       
                 

Net loss

     (5,395 )      (813 )

Dividends on preferred stock

     (4,133 )      (4,712 )

Accretion of redeemable preferred stock

     (6,127 )      (46,222 )
                 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (15,655 )    $ (51,747 )
                 

Net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders,

     

basic and diluted

   $ (62.71 )    $ (179.92 )

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

     249,657        287,614  

Pro forma:

     

Net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

      $ (0.06 )

Shares used to compute pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share

        13,505,437  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


 

F-34


Table of Contents

Rubicon Technology, Inc.


 

Statements of cash flows

 

     Nine months ended
September 30,
 
       2006     2007  
     (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net (loss) income

   $ (5,395 )   $ (813 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    

Depreciation and amortization

     2,312       2,486  

Amortization of financing costs

     14       11  

Net loss on disposal of equipment

     35       139  

Change in carrying value of convertible preferred stock warrants

     1,103       3,560  

Stock-based compensation

     59       250  

Warrants issued for services

     32        

Interest expense related to accretion

     272       253  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable, net

     (796 )     (1,163 )

Inventories

     1,313       (779 )

Spare parts

     (261 )     (703 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     272       (1,565 )

Accounts payable

     216       1,622  

Accrued payroll

     448       34  

Deferred revenue

           833  

Accrued and other current liabilities

     (175 )     (109 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (551 )     4,056  
                

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (556 )     (6,740 )

Proceeds from disposal of assets

     13       30  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (543 )     (6,710 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Proceeds from sale of preferred stock

     4,103        

Proceeds from exercise of options

     9       6  

Restricted cash

     (15 )      

Proceeds from line of credit

     1,430       3,000  

Payments on line of credit

     (1,327 )     (2,973 )

Payments on capital lease

     (160 )     (210 )

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

           5,100  

Payments on long-term debt

     (1,149 )     (4,741 )
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     2,891       182  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     1,797       (2,472 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     1,466       3,638  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 3,263     $ 1,166  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

    

Cash paid during the year from interest

   $ 655     $ 587  

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash transactions

    

Warrants issued with debt instruments

           596  

Reclassification of preferred stock warrants to liability

     1,477        

Dividend conversion feature

           14,420  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 


 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2007

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The unaudited financial statements of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (the “Company”) included herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006.

In the opinion of management, the aforementioned financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2007.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method, and includes materials, labor and overhead. The Company reduces the carrying value of its inventories for the differences between the cost and the estimated net realizable value, taking into account usage, expected demand, technological obsolescence and other information. Inventories are composed of the following at:

 

      

December 31,

2006

   

September 30,

2007

 

Raw materials

   $ 461,257     $ 1,021,354  

Work in progress

     1,638,742       1,773,802  

Finished goods

     111,550       71,592  
                
     2,211,549       2,866,748  

Reserve for obsolescence and realization

     (580,244 )     (456,556 )
                
   $ 1,631,305     $ 2,410,192  
                

 


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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2007

 

Property and equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following at:

 

      

December 31,

2006

   

September 30,

2007

 

Machinery, equipment and tooling

   $ 23,161,219     $ 26,860,768  

Leasehold improvements

     3,045,089       3,608,001  

Furniture and fixtures

     707,813       707,813  

Information systems

     545,983       545,983  

Construction in progress

     1,923,475       3,460,949  
                

Total cost

     29,383,579       35,183,514  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (10,120,621 )     (11,835,642 )
                

Property and equipment, net

   $ 19,262,958     $ 23,347,872  
                

Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”, (“FIN 48”), which became effective for the Company on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, and prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of the date of adoption and as of September 30, 2007 was not significant. As such, there are no unrecognized tax benefits included in the balance sheet that would, if recognized, affect the effective tax rate.

The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company has no accruals for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007, and has not recognized any interest or penalties in expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007. The Company is subject to taxation in the US and various state jurisdictions. Due to the existence of net operating loss carryforwards, all tax years are open to examination by tax authorities.

Convertible preferred stock warrant liability

At September 30, 2007, the Company had 8,501,422, 131,096, 647,397, 1,792,351 and 17,000 warrants outstanding for the purchase of the Company’s Series E, C, B-2, B and A preferred stock at a price per share of $0.2806, $0.7628, $0.56, $0.56 and $5.319. The warrants are immediately exercisable. The warrants will be net exercised or exercisable for common stock upon the closing of this offering.

The Company accounts for the carrying value of the preferred stock warrants as a liability pursuant to FSP 150-5 and adjusts the fair value at each reporting period with any increase or decrease in fair value

 


 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2007

 

reported in other income (expense). For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, $221,000 was recorded as the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and an expense of $883,000 was recorded as the change in value in other income (expense). For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, $3,560,000 was recorded as the change in value in other income (expense).

During 2007, the Company issued warrants to purchase 1,710,620 shares of its Series E preferred stock in conjunction with the issuance of long-term debt. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.2806 per share, are immediately exercisable, and expire 7 years from the date of issuance. The fair value of $596,151, was recorded as a reduction in the amount of the loan at the time the warrants were granted. Interest expense in the amount of $79,487 was recorded in 2007 to reflect accretion of the loan.

Redeemable convertible preferred stock

The Company has issued various classes of preferred stock. The holders of Series A, B, B-2, C, C-2, D, D-2, and E preferred stock have the option to sell their shares back to the Company at the greater of the original purchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends, or the current fair market value of the shares plus accrued and unpaid dividends. As a result, the carrying value of the preferred stock has been increased by an accretion amount each period so that the carrying amounts will equal the greater of fair value plus accrued and unpaid dividends or the original cost plus accrued and unpaid dividends for the Series A, B, B-2, C, C-2, D, D-2, and E preferred stock. The accreted amounts have been revised to record the accretion to additional paid-in capital, if any, and then to accumulated deficit. The option of the preferred stockholders to sell their shares back to the Company and the related accretion of the preferred shares will terminate upon the occurrence of a qualified public offering.

Dividend conversion feature

The Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock provides that the holder, at their discretion, can require the conversion of accumulated dividends into either cash or common stock based upon stated conversion rates. Accordingly, in accordance with EITF 00-27, “Application of Issue No. 98-5 to Certain Convertible Instruments”, any excess of the fair value of common stock the holder would receive over the accumulated dividends is recorded as the dividends are accrued. At September 30, 2007, the accumulated dividends were less than the value of the common shares the holder would receive upon conversion. Accordingly, the Company recorded the excess fair value of the common shares that could be received upon conversion over the amount of cash dividends in the amount of $14,420,000 to additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit.

 


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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2007

 

3. NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

Pro forma net loss per share assuming conversion of preferred stock and related dividends were as follows (in thousands except share and per share amounts):

 

      

Nine months

ended

September 30, 2007

 

Historical earnings per share

  

Numerator:

  

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (51,747 )

Denominator:

  

Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding

     289,766  
        

Net loss attributable to common stockholders per share – basic and diluted

   $ (178.58 )
        

Pro forma earnings per share

  

Numerator:

  

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (51,747 )

Pro forma adjustment to add back preferred stock accretion and dividends

     50,934  
        

Pro forma net loss

   $ (813 )
        

Denominator for pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share:

  

Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding

     287,614  

Pro forma adjustments to reflect assumed conversion of preferred stock (as if converted)

     13,217,823  
        

Shares used to computed pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share

     13,505,437  
        

Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share

   $ (0.06 )
        

4. STOCK OPTIONS

The Company sponsors a stock option plan, the 2001 Equity Plan (the “Plan”), which allows for the grant of incentive and nonqualified stock options for the purchase of common stock. Each option entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at the specified option exercise price. The exercise price of each incentive stock option granted must not be less than the fair market value on the grant date. At the discretion of management and with the approval of the Board of Directors, the Company may grant options under the Plan. Management and the Board of Directors determine vesting periods and expiration dates at the time of the grant.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), which revised SFAS 123, and supersedes APB 25. SFAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be measured at fair value and expensed in the statement of operations over the service period (generally the vesting period) of the grant. The Company transitioned to SFAS 123R using the prospective transition method.

Upon the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value stock options. The Company uses historical stock prices of companies which it considers as a peer group as the basis for its volatility assumptions. The assumed risk-free rates were based on US Treasury rates in

 


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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2007

 

effect at the time of grant with a term consistent with the expected option lives. The expected term is based upon the vesting term of the Company’s options, a review of a peer group of companies, and expected exercise behaviors. The forfeiture rate is based on past history of forfeited options. The expense is being allocated using the straight-line method. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, the Company recorded $58,871 and $249,686 of stock compensation expense. As of September 30, 2006 and 2007, the Company has $51,786 and $661,734 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards granted under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans that it expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 3.70 and 3.56 years. Under the prospective method of adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company continues to account for options issued prior to January 1, 2006 under the intrinsic value method of APB 25.

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2007:

 

       Shares
available
for grant
    Number of
options
outstanding
    Weighted-
average
exercise
price

Outstanding at January 1, 2007

   353,999     1,096,225     $ 1.41

Authorized

   —       —      

Granted

   (449,675 )   449,675       8.45

Exercised

   —       (4,571 )     1.48

Canceled/forfeited

   142,216     (142,216 )     1.79
              

Outstanding at September 30, 2007

   46,540     1,399,113       3.64
              

Exercisable at September 30, 2007

     737,428     $ 2.14

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $2.05 and the fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using an expected term of 4.8 years, risk-free interest rate of 4.92%, expected volatility of 56%, and no dividend yield. The Company used an expected forfeiture rate of 25%.

5. SEGMENT INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER

The Company operates one line of business – the manufacture of high-density crystal for industrial and technological use. The Company earns a significant portion of their revenue from a limited number of customers. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, customers representing more than 10% of revenue accounted for approximately 59% of sales.

Customers representing more than 10% of trade receivables accounted for approximately 60% and 59% of accounts receivable as of September 30, 2006 and 2007.

6. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

In July 2000, the Company entered into an operating lease with a related party for an office and manufacturing building. The lease term was seven years, requiring monthly payments of $3,000, and the Company’s proportionate share of operating expenses and real estate taxes.

In August 2005, the Company renegotiated the operating lease with the related party. The lease term is five years, requiring monthly payments of $10,000 with an annual increase of 6%, and the Company’s

 


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Rubicon Technology, Inc.


NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2007

 

proportionate share of operating expenses and real estate. The rent expense under the lease was $91,200 and $96,672 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2007.

7. LONG-TERM DEBT

On April 9, 2007, the Company entered into a three year $12,000,000 term loan and a one year $4,000,000 accounts receivable and inventory revolving line of credit financing agreement. An initial draw of $8,100,000 was made on that date and $5,093,674 was used to retire all outstanding term debt, line of credit debt, terminal payments and debt fees. The term loan is available for draw through December 31, 2007 with an extension to March 31, 2008 if the Company achieves a fiscal year 2007 EBITDA of $1,200,000. The term loan has an interest only period through October 31, 2007. The Company can earn two additional quarters of interest-only if the trailing quarterly EBITDA is in excess of $500,000. Once the interest only period ends, equal monthly principal payments are made through December 2010. The term loan interest rate is prime plus 3.375% and the line of credit is prime plus .25%. Proceeds of the loan will be used for general working capital purposes and to finance capital expansion. The line of credit expires on April 1, 2008. Series E warrants to purchase 1,710,620 shares of Series E Preferred Stock were issued as part of this transaction. These warrants had an estimated fair market value of $596,151 at issuance.

Long-term debt consists of:

 

     December 31,
2006
   

September 30,

2007

 

Term loan at prime plus 3.375% (effective rate of 11.625% at September 30, 2007), interest-only payments through October 31, 2007, matures December 2010

   $     $ 5,100,000  

Term loans at effective interest rates of 8.56% to 9.25%, including $232,674 and $243,985 at 2005 and 2006 of accreted terminal payments, maturing at various dates from May 1, 2007, through December 1, 2007

     1,255,018        

Term loan at 12.14% effective interest rate, including $2,263,402 at 2005 and 2006 balloon payment, matures May 1, 2008

     3,475,027        

Capital lease obligations

     293,760       84,144  

Less unamortized warrants

     (172,810 )     (516,664 )
                

Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     4,850,995       4,667,480  

Less current maturities

     (2,222,957 )     (753,862 )
                

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current maturities

   $ 2,628,038     $ 3,913,618  
                

The loans are collateralized by a blanket security agreement, which includes all the assets of the Company.

 


 

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Table of Contents

 

LOGO


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PART II

Information Not Required in Prospectus

ITEM 13.    OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The following table sets forth all expenses payable, other than estimated underwriting discounts and commissions, by the registrant in connection this offering. All of the amounts shown are estimated except the SEC registration fee.

 

     Amount

SEC registration fee

   $ 3,312.00

National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. fee

     10,500.00

NASDAQ Global Market listing fee

     100,000.00

Printing and mailing

     352,500.00

Legal fees and expenses

     1,450,000.00

Accounting fees and expenses

     950,000.00

Consulting fees

     250,000.00

Directors and officers insurance

     100,000.00

Transfer agent and registrar fees

     6,000.00

Miscellaneous

     175,688.00

ITEM 14.    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a corporation’s board of directors to grant, and authorizes a court to award, indemnity to officers, directors and other corporate agents.

As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the registrant’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be in effect upon completion of this offering includes provisions that eliminate the personal liability of its directors and officers for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty, except for breaches of their duty of loyalty, as directors and officers.

In addition, as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the amended and restated bylaws of the registrant to be effective upon completion of this offering provide that:

 

Ø  

The registrant shall indemnify its directors and officers for serving the registrant in those capacities or for serving other business enterprises at the registrant’s request, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that a corporation may indemnify such person if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the registrant and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

Ø  

The registrant may, in its discretion, indemnify employees and agents in those circumstances where indemnification is permitted by applicable law.

 

Ø  

The registrant is required to advance expenses, as incurred, to its directors and officers in connection with defending a proceeding, except that such director or officer shall undertake to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification.


 

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Ø  

The registrant will not be obligated pursuant to the amended and restated bylaws to indemnify a person with respect to proceedings initiated by that person, except with respect to proceedings authorized by the registrant’s board of directors.

 

Ø  

The registrant may not retroactively amend the bylaw provisions to reduce its indemnification obligations to directors, officers, employees and agents.

The registrant’s policy is to enter into separate indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers that provide the maximum indemnity allowed to directors and executive officers by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and also provide for certain additional procedural protections. The registrant may also, at the discretion of the board of directors, purchase and maintain directors and officers insurance to insure such persons against certain liabilities.

These indemnification provisions and the indemnification agreements entered into between the registrant and its officers and directors may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the registrant’s officers and directors for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act.

The underwriting agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement provides for indemnification by the underwriters of the registrant and its officers and directors for certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act and otherwise.

ITEM 15.    RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

In November and December of 2004, we issued and sold an aggregate of 6,554,799 shares of our Series C preferred stock to 12 existing stockholders for an aggregate purchase price of $5,000,000.

In March, 2005, we borrowed an aggregate of $2,000,000 from nine existing stockholders in the form of convertible promissory notes, each with a maturity date of September 30, 2005. Pursuant to the terms of those notes, representing an aggregate principal balance of $850,000, the principal balance of each such note was converted into 1,060,905 shares of our Series D preferred stock at a rate of $0.8012 per share. In accordance with the terms of the note representing a principal balance of $1,150,000, the principal balance of such note was converted into 1,453,483 shares of our Series D preferred stock at a rate of $0.7912 per share.

On March 31, 2005, we issued warrants to purchase 131,096 shares of our Series C preferred stock at $0.7628 per share to Heller Financial Leasing, Inc. in connection with the debt financing extended to us.

On June 28, 2005, we issued and sold an aggregate of 6,123,619 shares of our Series D preferred stock to 12 existing stockholders and 15 new accredited investors for an aggregate purchase price of $5,000,000 (inclusive of $2,000,000, representing the conversion of the principal balance of the convertible promissory notes issued in March 2005).

In August, September and October of 2005, we borrowed an aggregate of $5,500,000 from eight existing stockholders in the form of convertible promissory notes, each with a maturity date of February 15, 2006. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, the aggregate principal balance of the notes was converted into 19,601,160 shares of our Series E preferred stock to the note holders at a rate of $0.2806 per share. In connection with the issuance of the notes, we issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 3,920,169 shares of our Series E preferred stock at $0.2806 per share.


 

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During December 2005 through December 2006, we issued and sold an aggregate of 46,681,517 shares of our Series E preferred stock to 28 existing stockholders for an aggregate purchase price of $13,088,133 (inclusive of $5,500,000 of the principal balance of the convertible promissory notes issued in August, September and October of 2005). Simultaneously with the sale and issuance of the Series E preferred stock: (1) 14,001,191 shares of our Series B preferred stock were exchanged for 14,001,919 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock; (2) 12,693,013 shares of our Series C preferred stock were exchanged for 12,693,013 shares of Series C-2 preferred stock; (3) 5,258,432 shares of Series D preferred stock were exchanged for 5,258,432 shares of Series D-2 preferred stock; and (4) warrants to purchase 647,379 shares of Series B preferred stock were amended to provide for the right of the holder thereof to purchase 647,379 Series B-2 preferred stock in lieu of Series B preferred stock, On December 20, 2005, we issued warrants to purchase 317,696 and 1,980,949 shares of our Series E preferred stock at $0.2806 per share to Lighthouse Capital Partners IV, L.P. and Heller Financial Leasing, Inc., respectively, in connection with a restructuring of our debt facility.

On January 27, 2006, we issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 411,617 shares of our Series E preferred stock at $0.2806 per share to four existing stockholders in consideration of such stockholders’ guarantees of certain of our debt.

On August 1, 2006, we issued warrants to purchase 160,371 shares of our Series E preferred stock at $0.2806 per share to Lonergan Richards, Inc., in partial consideration of its services to us as an executive recruiter.

On April 9, 2007, we issued warrants to purchase 1,710,620 shares of our Series E preferred stock at $0.2806 per share to Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. pursuant to the credit facility it extended to us.

No underwriters were used in the foregoing transactions. All sales of securities described above were made in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act (and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder) for transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. All of the foregoing securities are deemed restricted securities for the purposes of the Securities Act.

Since July 1, 2004, we have granted options to purchase 13,821,085 (net of options cancelled or exercised) to our employees, directors and consultants at exercise prices ranging from $0.06 to $0.65 per share. Since July 1, 2004 an aggregate of 372,046 shares of our common stock were issued upon the exercise of stock options. The issuances of common stock upon exercise of the options were exempt either pursuant to Rule 701, as a transaction pursuant to a compensatory benefit plan, or pursuant to Section 4(2), as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. The common stock issued upon exercise of options is deemed to constitute restricted securities for the purposes of the Securities Act.


 

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ITEM 16.    EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

 

Exhibit No.   

Description

1.1           

Form of Underwriting Agreement

3.1           

Eighth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (to be in effect upon the consummation of this offering)

3.2           

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (to be in effect upon the consummation of this offering)

4.1*         

Specimen Common Stock Certificate

4.2**       

Fourth Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2005

4.3**       

Third Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2005, by and among Rubicon Technology, Inc. and the stockholders named therein

4.4**       

Series E Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2005, by and among Rubicon Technology, Inc. and the stockholders named therein

4.5**       

Form of Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series A preferred stock

4.6**       

Form of Investor Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock

4.7**       

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Silicon Valley Bank, dated July 10, 2002

4.8**       

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and GATX Ventures, Inc., dated July 10, 2002 (1)

4.9**       

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and GATX Ventures, Inc., dated July 10, 2002 (2)

4.10**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Atel Ventures, Inc., dated July 28, 2003

4.11**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Heller Financial Leasing, Inc., dated October 24, 2003

4.12**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Lighthouse Capital Partners IV, L.P., dated October 24, 2003

4.13**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series C preferred stock between Rubicon Technology Inc. and Heller Financial Leasing Inc., dated March 31, 2005

4.14**     

Form of Investor Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series E preferred stock

4.15**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series E preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Lighthouse Capital Partners IV, L.P., dated December 20, 2005

4.16**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series E preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Heller Financial Leasing, Inc., dated December 20, 2005

4.17**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series E preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., dated April 9, 2007

5.1*         

Opinion of McGuireWoods LLP

10.1**       

Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of August 2, 2001

10.1(a)**   

Amendment No. 1 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of November 6, 2001

10.1(b)**   

Amendment No. 2 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of May 21, 2002

10.1(c)**   

Amendment No. 3 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of May 28, 2004

10.1(d)**   

Amendment No. 4 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of December 6, 2004


 

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Exhibit No.   

Description

10.1(e)**     

Amendment No. 5 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of June 28, 2005

10.1(f)**     

Amendment No. 6 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of November 30, 2005

10.1(g)**     

Amendment No. 7 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of July 26, 2006

10.1(h)**     

Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan Form of Notice of Stock Option Grant and Stock Option Agreement

10.2**         

Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan dated as of August 29, 2007

10.3**         

Description of Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2006 Incentive Bonus Plan

10.4**         

Rubicon Technology, Inc. Management Incentive Bonus Plan, dated as of February 28, 2007

10.4(a)**     

Amendment No. 1 to Rubicon Technology, Inc. Management Incentive Bonus Plan, dated as of August 29, 2007

10.5**         

Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of November 17, 2005, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Raja M. Parvez

10.5(a)**     

Amendment, dated as of July 25, 2007, to Executive Employment Agreement by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Raja M. Parvez

10.6**         

Employment Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2004, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Hap Hewes

10.7**         

Severance Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2005, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Hap R. Hewes

10.8**         

Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2007, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and William F. Weissman

10.9**         

Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2007, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.

10.10**       

Form of Post-IPO Change of Control Severance Agreement

10.11**       

Form of Indemnification Agreement

10.12**       

Commercial Lease, dated as of December 23, 2004, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Bartmanns, Perales & Dolter, LLC

10.12(a)**   

Amendment to Commercial Lease, dated as of May 6, 2005, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Bartmanns, Perales & Dolter, LLC

10.13**       

Industrial Space Lease, dated as of July 29, 2005, by and among Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Radion Mogilevsky and Nanette Mogilevsky

10.14**       

Industrial Building Lease, dated as of July 18, 2007, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Phillip J. Latoria, Jr.

10.15**       

Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2005, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Hap Hewes

10.16**†     

2007 Material Purchase Meeting Record, dated as of November 7, 2006, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Shinkosha Co. Ltd.


 

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Exhibit No.   

Description

10.17**†     

2007 Supply Agreement, dated as of January 5, 2007, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Crystalwise Technology, Inc.

10.18**†     

2008 Sapphire Material Supply Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2007, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Crystalwise Technology, Inc.

10.19†         

Supply Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2007, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Peregrine Semiconductor Corp.

23.1             

Consent of Grant Thornton LLP

23.2*           

Consent of McGuireWoods LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)

24.1**         

Power of Attorney (included in signature page to the registration statement)


*   To be filed by amendment.
**   Previously filed.
  Confidential treatment has been requested for certain provisions of this Exhibit pursuant to Rule 406 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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Financial Statement Schedules

All financial statement schedules are omitted because (i) they are inapplicable, (ii) they are not required or (iii) the information is indicated elsewhere in our financial statements or the notes thereto.

ITEM 17.    UNDERTAKINGS

For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, if the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

For the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(a)   Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(b)   Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(c)   The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(d)   Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the


 

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registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by the controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1)   For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4), or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2)   For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Franklin Park, State of Illinois, on November 1, 2007.

 

Rubicon Technology, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Raja M. Parvez

  Name:   Raja M. Parvez
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    Raja M. Parvez         

Raja M. Parvez

  

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  November 1, 2007

/s/    William F. Weissman         

William F. Weissman

  

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting and Finance Officer)

  November 1, 2007

*

Don N. Aquilano

  

Chairman of the Board

  November 1, 2007

*

Donald R. Caldwell

  

Director

  November 1, 2007

*

Gordon Hunter

  

Director

  November 1, 2007

*

Michael E. Mikolajczyk

  

Director

  November 1, 2007

 

*By:    

/s/    William F. Weissman        

  William F. Weissman, as Attorney-in-Fact


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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   

Description

1.1           

Form of Underwriting Agreement

3.1           

Eighth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (to be in effect upon the consummation of this offering)

3.2           

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (to be in effect upon the consummation of this offering)

4.1*         

Specimen Common Stock Certificate

4.2**       

Fourth Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2005

4.3**       

Third Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2005, by and among Rubicon Technology, Inc. and the stockholders named therein

4.4**       

Series E Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2005, by and among Rubicon Technology, Inc. and the stockholders named therein

4.5**       

Form of Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series A preferred stock

4.6**       

Form of Investor Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock

4.7**       

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Silicon Valley Bank, dated July 10, 2002

4.8**       

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and GATX Ventures, Inc., dated July 10, 2002 (1)

4.9**       

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and GATX Ventures, Inc., dated July 10, 2002 (2)

4.10**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Atel Ventures, Inc., dated July 28, 2003

4.11**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Heller Financial Leasing, Inc., dated October 24, 2003

4.12**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series B preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Lighthouse Capital Partners IV, L.P., dated October 24, 2003

4.13**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series C preferred stock between Rubicon Technology Inc. and Heller Financial Leasing Inc., dated March 31, 2005

4.14**     

Form of Investor Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series E preferred stock

4.15**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series E preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Lighthouse Capital Partners IV, L.P., dated December 20, 2005

4.16**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series E preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Heller Financial Leasing, Inc., dated December 20, 2005

4.17**     

Warrant to Purchase Shares of Series E preferred stock between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., dated April 9, 2007

5.1*         

Opinion of McGuireWoods LLP

10.1**       

Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of August 2, 2001

10.1(a)**   

Amendment No. 1 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of November 6, 2001

10.1(b)**   

Amendment No. 2 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of May 21, 2002

10.1(c)**   

Amendment No. 3 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of May 28, 2004

10.1(d)**   

Amendment No. 4 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of December 6, 2004



Table of Contents
Exhibit No.   

Description

10.1(e)**     

Amendment No. 5 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of June 28, 2005

10.1(f)**     

Amendment No. 6 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of November 30, 2005

10.1(g)**     

Amendment No. 7 to the Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan, dated as of July 26, 2006

10.1(h)**     

Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2001 Equity Plan Form of Notice of Stock Option Grant and Stock Option Agreement

10.2**         

Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan dated as of August 29, 2007

10.3**         

Description of Rubicon Technology, Inc. 2006 Incentive Bonus Plan

10.4**         

Rubicon Technology, Inc. Management Incentive Bonus Plan, dated as of February 28, 2007

10.4(a)**     

Amendment No. 1 to Rubicon Technology, Inc. Management Incentive Bonus Plan, dated as of August 29, 2007

10.5**         

Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of November 17, 2005, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Raja M. Parvez

10.5(a)**     

Amendment, dated as of July 25, 2007, to Executive Employment Agreement by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Raja M. Parvez

10.6**         

Employment Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2004, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Hap Hewes

10.7**         

Severance Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2005, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Hap R. Hewes

10.8**         

Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2007, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and William F. Weissman

10.9**         

Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2007, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.

10.10**       

Form of Post-IPO Change of Control Severance Agreement

10.11**       

Form of Indemnification Agreement

10.12**       

Commercial Lease, dated as of December 23, 2004, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Bartmanns, Perales & Dolter, LLC

10.12(a)**   

Amendment to Commercial Lease, dated as of May 6, 2005, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Bartmanns, Perales & Dolter, LLC

10.13**       

Industrial Space Lease, dated as of July 29, 2005, by and among Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Radion Mogilevsky and Nanette Mogilevsky

10.14**       

Industrial Building Lease, dated as of July 18, 2007, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Phillip J. Latoria, Jr.

10.15**       

Non-Competition Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2005, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Hap Hewes

10.16**†     

2007 Material Purchase Meeting Record, dated as of November 7, 2006, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Shinkosha Co. Ltd.



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Exhibit No.   

Description

10.17**†     

2007 Supply Agreement, dated as of January 5, 2007, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Crystalwise Technology, Inc.

10.18**†     

2008 Sapphire Material Supply Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2007, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Crystalwise Technology, Inc.

10.19†         

Supply Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2007, by and between Rubicon Technology, Inc. and Peregrine Semiconductor Corp.

23.1             

Consent of Grant Thornton LLP

23.2*           

Consent of McGuireWoods LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)

24.1**         

Power of Attorney (included in signature page to the registration statement)


*   To be filed by amendment.
**   Previously filed.
  Confidential treatment has been requested for certain provisions of this Exhibit pursuant to Rule 406 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Exhibit 1.1

R UBICON T ECHNOLOGY , I NC .

[ · ] Shares

Common Stock

($0.001 par value per Share)

U NDERWRITING A GREEMENT

[ · ] [ · ], 2007


U NDERWRITING A GREEMENT

[ · ] [ · ], 2007

UBS Securities LLC

Canaccord Adams Inc.

CIBC World Markets Corp.

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

as Managing Underwriters

c/o UBS Securities LLC

299 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10171-0026

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Rubicon Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes to issue and sell, and each person or entity (each, a “ Selling Stockholder ”) identified as a Selling Stockholder in Schedule C annexed hereto, proposes to sell, to the underwriters named in Schedule A annexed hereto (the “ Underwriters ”), for whom you are acting as representatives, an aggregate of [ · ] shares (the “ Firm Shares ”) of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “ Common Stock ”), of the Company, of which [ · ] Firm Shares are to be issued and sold by the Company and an aggregate of [ · ] Firm Shares are to be sold by the Selling Stockholders. The number of Firm Shares to be sold by each Selling Stockholder is the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Selling Stockholder in Schedule C annexed hereto. In addition, solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, the Company proposes to grant to the Underwriters the option to purchase from the Company up to an additional [ · ] shares of Common Stock (the “ Additional Shares ”). The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively sometimes referred to as the “ Shares .” The Shares are described in the Prospectus which is referred to below.

The Company hereby acknowledges that, in connection with the proposed offering of the Shares, it has requested UBS Financial Services Inc. (“ UBS-FinSvc ”) to administer a directed share program (the “ Directed Share Program ”) under which up to [ · ] Firm Shares, or [ · ]% of the Firm Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters (the “ Reserved Shares ”), shall be reserved for sale by UBS-FinSvc at the initial public offering price to [the Company’s officers, directors, employees and consultants and other] persons having a relationship with the Company as designated by the Company (the “ Directed Share Participants ”) as part of the distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the applicable rules, regulations and interpretations of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “ NASD ”) and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The number of Shares available for sale to the general public will be reduced to the extent that Directed Share Participants purchase Reserved Shares. The Underwriters may offer any Reserved Shares not purchased by Directed Share Participants to the general public on the same basis as the other Shares being issued and sold hereunder. The Company has supplied UBS-FinSvc with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the individuals or other entities which the Company has designated to be participants in the Directed Share Program. It is understood that any number of those so designated to participate in the Directed Share Program may decline to do so.


The Company has prepared and filed, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “ Act ”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. [ · ]) under the Act, including a prospectus, relating to the Shares.

Except where the context otherwise requires, “ Registration Statement ,” as used herein, means the registration statement, as amended at the time of such registration statement’s effectiveness for purposes of Section 11 of the Act, as such section applies to the respective Underwriters (the “ Effective Time ”), including (i) all documents filed as a part thereof, (ii) any information contained in a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act, to the extent such information is deemed, pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 430C under the Act, to be part of the registration statement at the Effective Time, and (iii) any registration statement filed to register the offer and sale of Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act.

The Company has furnished to you, for use by the Underwriters and by dealers in connection with the offering of the Shares, copies of one or more preliminary prospectuses relating to the Shares. Except where the context otherwise requires, “ Preliminary Prospectus ,” as used herein, means each such preliminary prospectus, in the form so furnished.

Except where the context otherwise requires, “ Prospectus ,” as used herein, means the prospectus, relating to the Shares, filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act on or before the second business day after the date hereof (or such earlier time as may be required under the Act), or, if no such filing is required, the final prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective under the Act, in each case in the form furnished by the Company to you for use by the Underwriters and by dealers in connection with the offering of the Shares.

Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses ,” as used herein, means the documents listed on Schedule B attached hereto and each “road show” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Act), if any, related to the offering of the Shares contemplated hereby that is a “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act) (each such road show, an “ Electronic Road Show ”). The Underwriters have not offered or sold and will not offer or sell, without the Company’s consent, any Shares by means of any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act) that is required to be filed by the Underwriters with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433 under the Act, other than a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.

Disclosure Package ,” as used herein, means any Preliminary Prospectus together with any combination of one or more of the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any.

As used in this Agreement, “ business day ” shall mean a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”) is open for trading. The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereinafter” and similar terms, as used in this Agreement, shall in each case refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, paragraph, sentence or other subdivision of this Agreement. The term “or,” as used herein, is not exclusive.

 

- 2 -


The Company has prepared and filed, in accordance with Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “ Exchange Act ”), a registration statement (as amended, the “ Exchange Act Registration Statement ”) on Form 8-A (File No. [ · ]) under the Exchange Act to register, under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, the class of securities consisting of the Common Stock.

The Company, each of the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters agree as follows:

1. Sale and Purchase . Upon the basis of the representations and warranties and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell, and each of the Selling Stockholders agrees to sell, in each case severally and not jointly, to the respective Underwriters and each of the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company and each Selling Stockholder, the respective number of Firm Shares (subject to such adjustment as UBS Securities LLC (“ UBS ”) may determine to avoid fractional shares) which bears the same proportion to the total number of Firm Shares to be sold by the Company or by such Selling Stockholder, as the case may be, as the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule A annexed hereto, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 11 hereof, bears to the total number of Firm Shares, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 11 hereof, in each case at a purchase price of $[ · ] per Share. The Company is advised by you that the Underwriters intend (i) to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Firm Shares as soon after the effective date of the Registration Statement as in your judgment is advisable and (ii) initially to offer the Firm Shares upon the terms set forth in the Prospectus. You may from time to time increase or decrease the public offering price after the initial public offering to such extent as you may determine.

In addition, the Company hereby grants to the several Underwriters the option (the “ Over-Allotment Option ”) to purchase, and upon the basis of the representations and warranties and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Underwriters shall have the right to purchase from the Company, ratably in accordance with the number of Firm Shares to be purchased by each of them, all or a portion of the Additional Shares as may be necessary to cover over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm Shares, at the same purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriters to the Company and the Selling Stockholders for the Firm Shares. The Over-Allotment Option may be exercised by UBS on behalf of the several Underwriters at any time and from time to time on or before the thirtieth day following the date of the Prospectus, by written notice to the Company. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Additional Shares as to which the Over-Allotment Option is being exercised and the date and time when the Additional Shares are to be delivered (any such date and time being herein referred to as an “ additional time of purchase ”); provided , however , that no additional time of purchase shall be earlier than the “time of purchase” (as defined below) nor earlier than the second business day after the date on which the Over-Allotment Option shall have been exercised nor later than the tenth business day after the date on which the Over-Allotment Option shall have been exercised. The number of Additional Shares to be sold to each Underwriter shall be the number which bears the same proportion to the aggregate number of

 

- 3 -


Additional Shares being purchased as the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule A hereto bears to the total number of Firm Shares (subject, in each case, to such adjustment as UBS may determine to eliminate fractional shares), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 11 hereof.

Pursuant to powers of attorney (the “ Powers of Attorney ”) granted by each Selling Stockholder (which Powers of Attorney shall be satisfactory to UBS), [              ] and [              ] shall act as representatives of the Selling Stockholders. Each of the foregoing representatives (collectively, the “ Representatives of the Selling Stockholders ”) is authorized, on behalf of each Selling Stockholder, among other things, to execute any documents necessary or desirable in connection with the sale of the Shares to be sold hereunder by such Selling Stockholder, to make delivery of the certificates of such Shares, to receive the proceeds of the sale of such Shares, to give receipts for such proceeds, to pay therefrom the expenses to be borne by such Selling Stockholder in connection with the sale and public offering of the Shares, to distribute the balance of such proceeds to such Selling Stockholder, to receive notices on behalf of such Selling Stockholder and to take such other action as may be necessary or desirable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

2. Payment and Delivery . Payment of the purchase price for the Firm Shares shall be made to the Company and to each Selling Stockholder by Federal Funds wire transfer against delivery of the certificates for the Firm Shares to you through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) for the respective accounts of the Underwriters. Such payment and delivery shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on [ · ] (unless another time shall be agreed to by you and the Company and any Representative of the Selling Stockholders or unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 hereof). The time at which such payment and delivery are to be made is hereinafter sometimes called the “ time of purchase .” Electronic transfer of the Firm Shares shall be made to you at the time of purchase in such names and in such denominations as you shall specify.

Payment of the purchase price for the Additional Shares shall be made at the additional time of purchase in the same manner and at the same office as the payment for the Firm Shares. Electronic transfer of the Additional Shares shall be made to you at the additional time of purchase in such names and in such denominations as you shall specify.

Deliveries of the documents described in Section 9 hereof with respect to the purchase of the Shares shall be made at the offices of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation at 8911 Capital of Texas Highway, Westech 360, Suite 3350, Austin, Texas 78759, at 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date of the closing of the purchase of the Firm Shares or the Additional Shares, as the case may be.

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that:

(a) the Registration Statement has heretofore become effective under the Act or, with respect to any registration statement to be filed to register the offer and sale of Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act, will be filed with the Commission and

 

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become effective under the Act no later than 10:00 P.M., New York City time, on the date of determination of the public offering price for the Shares; no stop order of the Commission preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, or the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, has been issued, and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, are contemplated by the Commission; the Exchange Act Registration Statement has become effective as provided in Section 12 of the Exchange Act;

(b) the Registration Statement complied when it became effective, complies as of the date hereof and, as amended or supplemented, at the time of purchase, each additional time of purchase, if any, and at all times during which a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with any sale of Shares, will comply, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Act; the Registration Statement did not, as of the Effective Time, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; each Preliminary Prospectus complied, at the time it was filed with the Commission, and complies as of the date hereof, in all material respects with the requirements of the Act; at no time during the period that begins on the earlier of the date of such Preliminary Prospectus and the date such Preliminary Prospectus was filed with the Commission and ends at the time of purchase did or will any Preliminary Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and at no time during such period did or will any Preliminary Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, together with any combination of one or more of the then issued Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; the Prospectus will comply, as of its date, the date that it is filed with the Commission, the time of purchase, each additional time of purchase, if any, and at all times during which a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with any sale of Shares, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Act (including, without limitation, Section 10(a) of the Act); at no time during the period that begins on the earlier of the date of the Prospectus and the date the Prospectus is filed with the Commission and ends at the later of the time of purchase, the latest additional time of purchase, if any, and the end of the period during which a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with any sale of Shares did or will the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; at no time during the period that begins on the date of such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and ends at the time of purchase did or will any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus include an untrue statement of a material

 

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fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided , however , that the Company makes no representation or warranty in this Section 3(b) with respect to any statement contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information concerning an Underwriter and furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you to the Company expressly for use in the Registration Statement, such Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus;

(c) prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Company has not, directly or indirectly, offered or sold any Shares by means of any “prospectus” (within the meaning of the Act) or used any “prospectus” (within the meaning of the Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares, in each case other than the Preliminary Prospectuses and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any; the Company has not, directly or indirectly, prepared, used or referred to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus except in compliance with Rules 164 and 433 under the Act; assuming that such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus is accompanied or preceded by the most recent Preliminary Prospectus that contains a price range or the Prospectus, as the case may be, and that such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus is so sent or given after the Registration Statement was filed with the Commission (and on or after the date such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus was, if required pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, filed with the Commission), the sending or giving, by any Underwriter, of any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus will satisfy the provisions of Rule 164 and Rule 433 (without reliance on subsections (b), (c) and (d) of Rule 164); the Preliminary Prospectus dated [•] is a prospectus that, other than by reason of Rule 433 or Rule 431 under the Act, satisfies the requirements of Section 10 of the Act, including a price range where required by rule; neither the Company nor the Underwriters are disqualified, by reason of subsection (f) or (g) of Rule 164 under the Act, from using, in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares, “free writing prospectuses” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act) pursuant to Rules 164 and 433 under the Act; the Company is not an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act) as of the eligibility determination date for purposes of Rules 164 and 433 under the Act with respect to the offering of the Shares contemplated by the Registration Statement; the parties hereto agree and understand that the content of any and all “road shows” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Act) related to the offering of the Shares contemplated hereby is solely the property of the Company; the Company has caused there to be made available at least one version of a “ bona fide electronic road show” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Act) in a manner that, pursuant to Rule 433(d)(8)(ii) under the Act, causes the Company not to be required, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, to file, with the Commission, any Electronic Road Show;

(d) as of the date of this Agreement, the Company has an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the sections of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses and the Prospectus entitled “Capitalization” and “Description of capital stock” (and any similar sections or information, if any, contained in any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus), and, as of the time of purchase and any additional

 

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time of purchase, as the case may be, the Company shall have an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the sections of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses and the Prospectus entitled “Capitalization” and “Description of capital stock” (and any similar sections or information, if any, contained in any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus) (subject, in each case, to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of stock options and warrants disclosed as outstanding in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and the grant of options under existing stock option plans described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus); all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock, including the Common Stock, of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with all applicable securities laws and were not issued in violation of any preemptive right, resale right, right of first refusal or similar right; prior to the time of purchase, all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, Series C-2 Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, Series D-2 Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, and Series E Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company shall convert into shares of Common Stock in the manner described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus; prior to the date hereof, the Company has duly effected and completed a 1-for-13 reverse stock split of the Common Stock in the manner described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus; and the Eighth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, each in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, have been heretofore duly authorized and approved in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law and shall become effective and in full force and effect at or before the time of purchase; the Shares are duly listed, and admitted and authorized for trading, subject to official notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution, on the Nasdaq Global Market (the “ NASDAQ ”);

(e) the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, to execute and deliver this Agreement and to issue, sell and deliver the Shares to be sold by it as contemplated herein;

(f) the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, either (i) have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial condition, results of

 

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operations or prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries (as defined below) taken as a whole, (ii) prevent or materially interfere with consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or (iii) prevent the shares of Common Stock from being accepted for listing on, or result in the delisting of shares of Common Stock from, the NASDAQ (the occurrence of any such effect or any such prevention or interference or any such result described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being herein referred to as a “ Material Adverse Effect ”);

(g) the Company has no subsidiaries (as defined under the Act); the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any shares of stock or any other equity interests or long-term debt securities of any corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, association or other entity; complete and correct copies of the charters and the bylaws of the Company and all amendments thereto have been delivered to you, and, except as set forth in the exhibits to the Registration Statement, no changes therein will be made on or after the date hereof through and including the time of purchase or, if later, any additional time of purchase;

(h) the Shares to be sold by the Company pursuant hereto have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free of statutory and contractual preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights; the Shares to be sold by the Company pursuant hereto, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be free of any restriction upon the voting or transfer thereof pursuant to the Company’s charter or bylaws or any agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party; the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders pursuant hereto have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are and, after they are delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be fully paid, non-assessable and free of preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights pursuant to Delaware law, the Company’s charter or bylaws or any agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party; the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders pursuant hereto are and, after they are delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be free of any restriction upon the voting or transfer thereof pursuant to the Company’s charter or bylaws or any agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party;

(i) the capital stock of the Company, including the Shares, conforms in all material respects to each description thereof, if any, contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any; and the certificates for the Shares are in due and proper form;

(j) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

(k) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in breach or violation of or in default under (nor has any event occurred which, with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or violation of, constitute a default under or give the

 

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holder of any indebtedness (or a person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a part of such indebtedness under) (A) its charter or bylaws, or (B) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or affected, or (C) any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or rule, or (D) any rule or regulation of any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ), or (E) any decree, judgment or order applicable to it or any of its properties; except with respect to (B) and (C) above for such breaches, violations or defaults which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

(l) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares to be sold by the Company pursuant hereto, the sale of the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders pursuant hereto and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not conflict with, result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under (nor constitute any event which, with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or violation of, constitute a default under or give the holder of any indebtedness (or a person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a part of such indebtedness under) (or result in the creation or imposition of a lien, charge or encumbrance on any property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to) (A) the charter or bylaws of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or (B) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective properties may be bound or affected, or (C) any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or rule, or (D) any rule or regulation of any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ), or (E) any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties; except with respect to (B) or (C) above for such breaches, violations or defaults which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

(m) no approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency, or of or with any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the NASDAQ), or approval of the stockholders of the Company, is required in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares to be sold by the Company pursuant hereto, the sale of the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders pursuant hereto or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than (i) registration of the Shares under the Act, which has been effected (or, with respect to any registration statement to be filed hereunder pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act, will be effected in accordance herewith), (ii) any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Shares are being offered by the Underwriters or (iii) under the Conduct Rules of the NASD;

 

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(n) except as described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, (i) no person has the right, contractual or otherwise, to cause the Company to issue or sell to it any shares of Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock or other equity interests of the Company, (ii) no person has any preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase any shares of Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock of or other equity interests in the Company and (iii) no person has the right to act as an underwriter or as a financial advisor to the Company in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares; no person has the right, contractual or otherwise, to cause the Company to register under the Act any shares of Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock of or other equity interests in the Company, or to include any such shares or interests in the Registration Statement or the offering contemplated thereby;

(o) each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has all necessary licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals and has made all necessary filings required under any applicable law, regulation or rule, and has obtained all necessary licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals from other persons, in order to conduct their respective businesses, except where the failure to possess such license, authorizations, consents and approvals or to make such filings would, individually or in the aggregate, not have a Material Adverse Effect; neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in violation of, or in default under, or has received notice of any proceedings relating to revocation or modification of, any such license, authorization, consent or approval or any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or rule or any decree, order or judgment applicable to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, except where such violation, default, revocation or modification would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;

(p) there are no actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened or contemplated to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors or officers is or would be a party or of which any of their respective properties is or would be subject at law or in equity, before or by any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency, or before or by any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the NASDAQ), except any such action, suit, claim, investigation or proceeding (i) which, if resolved adversely to the Company or any Subsidiary, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) that is disclosed in the Prospectus under the caption “Business – Legal proceedings”;

(q) Grant Thornton LLP, whose report on the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the Subsidiaries is included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses and the Prospectus [identify any Permitted Free Writing

 

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Prospectuses containing an audit report], are independent registered public accountants as required by the Act and by the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;

(r) the financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, together with the related notes and schedules, present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity of the Company for the periods specified and have been prepared in compliance with the requirements of the Act and Exchange Act and in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved; the other financial and statistical data relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, are accurately and fairly presented and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements and books and records of the Company; there are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus that are not included as required; the Company and the Subsidiaries do not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), not described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus; and all disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Act, to the extent applicable;

(s) subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, in each case excluding any amendments or supplements to the foregoing made after the execution of this Agreement, there has not been (i) any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the business, properties, management, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) any transaction which is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iii) any obligation or liability, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary, which is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iv) except as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Capitalization” or “Description of capital stock”, any change in the capital stock or outstanding indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiaries or (v) except as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Capitalization” or “Description of capital stock”, any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made on the capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary;

(t) the Company has obtained for the benefit of the Underwriters the agreement (a “ Lock-Up Agreement ”), in the form set forth as Exhibit A hereto, of (i)

 

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each of its directors and “officers” (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act), (ii) each holder of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock or any warrant or other right to acquire shares of Common Stock or any such security and (iii) each Directed Share Participant that is expected to purchase at least $100,000 of Reserved Shares;

(u) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is, and at no time during which a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with any sale of Shares will either of them be, and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares, neither of them will be, an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ Investment Company Act ”);

(v) the Company and each of the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all property (real and personal) described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, as being owned by any of them, free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests or other encumbrances, except where such liens, claims, security interests or other encumbrances would, individually or in the aggregate, not have a Material Adverse Effect; all the property described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, as being held under lease by the Company or a Subsidiary is held thereby under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases;

(w) the Company and the Subsidiaries own, or have obtained valid and enforceable licenses for, or other rights to use, the inventions, patent applications, patents, trademarks (both registered and unregistered), tradenames, service names, copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary information described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, as being owned or licensed by them or which are necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted (including the commercialization of products or services described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, as under development), except where the failure to own, license or have such rights would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”); (i) there are no third parties who have or, to the Company’s knowledge, will be able to establish rights to any Intellectual Property, except for, and to the extent of, the ownership rights of the owners of the Intellectual Property which the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus disclose is licensed to the Company; (ii) except as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Business – Legal proceedings”, to the Company’s knowledge, there is no infringement by third parties of any Intellectual Property; (iii) except as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Business – Legal proceedings”, there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Company’s rights

 

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in or to any Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any facts which could form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim; (iv) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity, enforceability or scope of any Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any facts which could form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim; (v) except as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Business – Legal proceedings”, there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company or any Subsidiary infringes or otherwise violates, or would, upon the commercialization of any product or service described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, as under development, infringe or violate, any patent, trademark, tradename, service name, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary rights of others, and the Company is unaware of any facts which could form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim; (vi) the Company and the Subsidiaries have complied with the terms of each agreement pursuant to which Intellectual Property has been licensed to the Company or any Subsidiary, and all such agreements are in full force and effect; (vii) there is no patent or patent application that contains claims that interfere with the issued or pending claims of any of the Intellectual Property or that challenges the validity, enforceability or scope of any of the Intellectual Property; and (viii) to the Company’s knowledge, there is no prior art that may render any patent application within the Intellectual Property unpatentable that has not been disclosed to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office;

(x) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice; except for matters which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) there is (A) no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries before the National Labor Relations Board, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under collective bargaining agreements is pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened, (B) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and (C) no union representation dispute currently existing concerning the employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, no union organizing activities are currently taking place concerning the employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and (iii) there has been no violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law relating to discrimination in the hiring, promotion or pay of employees, any applicable wage or hour laws or any provision of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ ERISA ”) or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder concerning the employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries;

(y) the Company and the Subsidiaries and their respective properties, assets and operations are in compliance with, and the Company and each of the Subsidiaries hold all permits, authorizations and approvals required under, Environmental Laws (as defined below), except to the extent that failure to so comply or to hold such permits, authorizations or approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; there are no past, present or, to the Company’s knowledge, reasonably

 

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anticipated future events, conditions, circumstances, activities, practices, actions, omissions or plans that could reasonably be expected to give rise to any material costs or liabilities to the Company or any Subsidiary under, or to interfere with or prevent compliance by the Company or any Subsidiary with, Environmental Laws; except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries (i) is the subject of any investigation, (ii) has received any notice or claim, (iii) is a party to or affected by any pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit or proceeding, (iv) is bound by any judgment, decree or order or (v) has entered into any agreement, in each case relating to any alleged violation of any Environmental Law or any actual or alleged release or threatened release or cleanup at any location of any Hazardous Materials (as defined below) (as used herein, “ Environmental Law ” means any federal, state, local or foreign law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, decree, judgment, injunction, permit, license, authorization or other binding requirement, or common law, relating to health, safety or the protection, cleanup or restoration of the environment or natural resources, including those relating to the distribution, processing, generation, treatment, storage, disposal, transportation, other handling or release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials, and “ Hazardous Materials ” means any material (including, without limitation, pollutants, contaminants, hazardous or toxic substances or wastes) that is regulated by or may give rise to liability under any Environmental Law);

(z) in the ordinary course of their business, the Company conducts periodic reviews of the effect of the Environmental Laws on its businesses, operations and properties to identify and evaluate associated costs and liabilities (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for cleanup, closure of properties or compliance with the Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties);

(aa) all tax returns required to be filed by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries have been timely filed, and all taxes and other assessments of a similar nature (whether imposed directly or through withholding) including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto due or claimed to be due from such entities have been timely paid, other than those being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided;

(bb) the Company and each of the Subsidiaries maintain insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses as the Company reasonably deems adequate; such insurance insures against such losses and risks to an extent which is adequate in accordance with customary industry practice to protect the Company and the Subsidiaries and their respective businesses; all such insurance is fully in force on the date hereof and will be fully in force at the time of purchase and each additional time of purchase, if any; neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has reason to believe that it will not be able to renew any such insurance as and when such insurance expires;

 

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(cc) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has sent or received any communication regarding termination of, or intent not to renew, any of the contracts or agreements referred to or described in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, or referred to or described in, or filed as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement, and no such termination or non-renewal has been threatened by the Company or any Subsidiary or, to the Company’s knowledge, any other party to any such contract or agreement;

(dd) the Company and each of the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences;

(ee) the Company has established and maintains and evaluates “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) and “internal control over financial reporting” (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities, and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to perform the functions for which they were established; the Company’s independent auditors and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company have been advised of: (i) all significant deficiencies, if any, in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data; and (ii) all fraud, if any, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls; all material weaknesses, if any, in internal controls have been identified to the Company’s independent auditors; since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls, except as otherwise described in the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus with respect to corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls,; and the Company has taken all necessary actions to ensure that, upon and at all times after the filing of the Registration Statement, the Company and the Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors, in their capacities as such, will be in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

(ff) There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business and advances of legal expenses

 

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pursuant to the Company’s bylaws or indemnification agreements with directors and officers as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Business – Legal proceedings”) or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company or any Subsidiary to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary or their respective family members. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has, in violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, directly or indirectly, extended or maintained credit, arranged for the extension of credit, or renewed an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any director or executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary.

(gg) each “forward-looking statement” (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Act or Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, has been made or reaffirmed with a reasonable basis and in good faith;

(hh) all statistical or market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably believes to be reliable and accurate, and the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources to the extent required;

(ii) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ”) which payment, receipt or retention of funds is of a character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus; and the Company, the Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure continued compliance therewith;

(jj) the operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”); and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator or non-governmental authority involving the Company or any of the Subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened;

(kk) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of

 

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Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares contemplated hereby, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC;

(ll) no Subsidiary is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company, except as described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus;

(mm) the issuance and sale of the Shares to be sold by the Company and the sale of the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders as contemplated hereby will not cause any holder of any shares of capital stock, securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or options, warrants or other rights to purchase capital stock or any other securities of the Company to have any right to acquire any shares of preferred stock of the Company;

(nn) except pursuant to this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has incurred any liability for any finder’s or broker’s fee or agent’s commission in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Registration Statement;

(oo) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor any of their respective directors, officers, affiliates or controlling persons has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed, or which has constituted or might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares;

(pp) to the Company’s knowledge, there are no affiliations or associations between (i) any member of the NASD and (ii) the Company or any of the Company’s officers, directors or 5% or greater security holders or any beneficial owner of the Company’s unregistered equity securities that were acquired at any time on or after the 180th day immediately preceding the date the Registration Statement was initially filed with the Commission, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the Preliminary Prospectuses and the Prospectus;

(qq) the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus comply, and any further amendments or supplements thereto will comply, with any applicable laws or regulations of any foreign jurisdiction in which any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus is distributed in connection with the Directed Share Program; and no approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any governmental or regulatory

 

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commission, board, body, authority or agency, other than those heretofore obtained, is required in connection with the offering of the Reserved Shares in any jurisdiction where the Reserved Shares are being offered; and

(rr) the Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to offer, Shares to any person pursuant to the Directed Share Program with the intent to influence unlawfully (i) a customer or supplier of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective products or services.

In addition, any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and delivered to the Underwriters or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

4. Representations and Warranties of the Selling Stockholders . Each Selling Stockholder, severally and not jointly with the other Selling Stockholders, represents and warrants to each of the Underwriters that:

(a) all information with respect to such Selling Stockholder included in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the Act; the Registration Statement, as it relates to the Selling Stockholder, did not, as of the Effective Time, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; at no time during the period that begins on the earlier of the date of such Preliminary Prospectus and the date such Preliminary Prospectus was filed with the Commission and ends at the time of purchase did or will any Preliminary Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, as such Preliminary Prospectus relates to such Selling Stockholder, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and at no time during such period did or will any Preliminary Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, together with any combination of one or more of the then issued Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, in each case as they relate to the Selling Stockholder, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; at no time during the period that begins on the earlier of the date of the Prospectus and the date the Prospectus is filed with the Commission and ends at the later of the time of purchase, the latest additional time of purchase, if any, and the end of the period during which a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with any sale of Shares did or will the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, as the Prospectus relates to such Selling Stockholder, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the

 

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statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; at no time during the period that begins on the date of such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and ends at the time of purchase did or will any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, as such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus relates to such Selling Stockholder, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(b) such Selling Stockholder has not, prior to the execution of this Agreement, offered or sold any Shares by means of any “prospectus” (within the meaning of the Act), or used any “prospectus” (within the meaning of the Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares, in each case other than the then most recent Preliminary Prospectus;

(c) neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the Custody Agreement or Power of Attorney to which such Selling Stockholder is a party nor the sale by such Selling Stockholder of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will conflict with, result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under (or constitute any event which with notice, lapse of time or both would result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under) (i) if such Selling Stockholder is not an individual, the charter or bylaws or other organizational instruments of such Selling Stockholder, (ii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which such Selling Stockholder is a party or by which such Selling Stockholder or any of its properties may be bound or affected, (iii) any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or rule, (iv) or any rule or regulation of any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ), or (v) any decree, judgment or order applicable to such Selling Stockholder or any of its properties.

(d) no approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency, or of or with any self-regulatory organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority (including, without limitation, the NASDAQ), is required in connection with the sale of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement or the consummation by such Selling Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Custody Agreement or Power of Attorney to which such Selling Stockholder is a party other than (i) registration of the Shares under the Act, which has been effected (or, with respect to any registration statement to be filed hereunder pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act, will be effected in accordance herewith), (ii) any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Shares are being offered by the Underwriters or (iii) under the Conduct Rules of the NASD;

(e) neither such Selling Stockholder nor any of its affiliates has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or which has constituted or might reasonably be

 

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expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares;

(f) there are no affiliations or associations between any member of the NASD and such Selling Stockholder, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus; none of the proceeds received by such Selling Stockholder from the sale of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement will be paid to a member of the NASD or any affiliate of (or person “associated with,” as such terms are used in the Rules of the NASD) such member;

(g) such Selling Stockholder now is and, at the time of delivery of such Shares (whether the time of purchase or any additional time of purchase, as the case may be), will be the lawful owner of the number of Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement and has and, at the time of delivery of such Shares, will have valid and marketable title to such Shares, and upon delivery of and payment for such Shares (whether at the time of purchase or any additional time of purchase, as the case may be), the Underwriters will acquire valid and marketable title to such Shares free and clear of any claim, lien, encumbrance, security interest, community property right, restriction on transfer or other defect in title;

(h) such Selling Stockholder has and, at the time of delivery of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement (whether the time of purchase or any additional time of purchase, as the case may be), will have full legal right, power and capacity, and all authorizations and approvals required by law (other than those imposed by the Act and state securities or blue sky laws), to (i) enter into this Agreement and a Custody Agreement (as defined below) and to execute a Power of Attorney, (ii) sell, assign, transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement in the manner provided in this Agreement and (iii) make the representations, warranties and agreements made by such Selling Stockholder herein;

(i) this Agreement and the custody agreement (the “ Custody Agreement ”), dated [ · ], between American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as custodian (the “ Custodian ”), and such Selling Stockholder and the Power of Attorney to which such Selling Stockholder is a party have each been duly executed and delivered by (or, in the case of this Agreement, on behalf of) such Selling Stockholder, and each is a legal, valid and binding agreement of such Selling Stockholder enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other laws designed for the protection of creditors;

(j) such Selling Stockholder has duly and irrevocably authorized each of the Representatives of the Selling Stockholders (whether acting alone or together), on behalf of such Selling Stockholder, to execute and deliver this Agreement and any other documents necessary or desirable in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby and to deliver the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement and receive payment therefor pursuant hereto;

 

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(k) the sale of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement is not prompted by any information concerning the Company or any Subsidiary which is not set forth in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus;

(l) at the time of purchase and each additional time of purchase, all stock transfer or other taxes (other than income taxes), if any, that are required to be paid in connection with the sale and transfer of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder to the several Underwriters hereunder will be fully paid or provided for by such Selling Stockholder, and all laws imposing such taxes will be fully complied with;

(m) such Selling Stockholder is not, and has not been at any time, a “United States Real Property Holding Corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

(n) pursuant to the Custody Agreement to which such Selling Stockholder is a party, certificates in negotiable form for the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement have been placed in custody for the purpose of making delivery of such Shares in accordance with this Agreement; such Selling Stockholder agrees that (i) such Shares represented by such certificates are for the benefit of, and coupled with and subject to the interest of, the Custodian, the Representatives of the Selling Stockholders, the Underwriters and the Company, (ii) the arrangements made by such Selling Stockholder for custody and for the appointment of the Custodian and the Representatives of the Selling Stockholders by such Selling Stockholder are irrevocable, and (iii) the obligations of such Selling Stockholder hereunder shall not be terminated by operation of law, whether by the death, disability or incapacity of such Selling Stockholder (or, if such Selling Stockholder is not an individual, the liquidation, dissolution, merger or consolidation of such Selling Stockholder) or the occurrence of any other event (each, an “ Event ”); if an Event occurs before the delivery of the Shares hereunder, certificates for the Shares shall be delivered by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Power of Attorney to which such Selling Stockholder is a party, the Custody Agreement to which such Selling Stockholder is a party and this Agreement, and actions taken by the Custodian and the Representatives of the Selling Stockholders pursuant to such Power of Attorney or the Custody Agreement shall be as valid as if such Event had not occurred, regardless of whether or not the Custodian or the Representatives of the Selling Stockholders, or either of them, shall have received notice thereof; and

In addition, any certificate signed by any Selling Stockholder (or, with respect to any Selling Stockholder that is not an individual, any officer of such Selling Stockholder or of any of such Selling Stockholder’s subsidiaries) or by any Representative of the Selling Stockholders and delivered to the Underwriters or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by such Selling Stockholder, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

 

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5. Certain Covenants of the Company . The Company hereby agrees:

(a) to furnish such information as may be required and otherwise to cooperate in qualifying the Shares for offering and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such states or other jurisdictions as you may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect so long as you may request for the distribution of the Shares; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation, to subject itself to taxation in any foreign jurisdiction or to consent to the service of process under the laws of any such jurisdiction (except service of process with respect to the offering and sale of the Shares); and to promptly advise you of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offer or sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose;

(b) to make available to the Underwriters in New York City, as soon as practicable after this Agreement becomes effective, and thereafter from time to time to furnish to the Underwriters, as many copies of the Prospectus (or of the Prospectus as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have made any amendments or supplements thereto after the effective date of the Registration Statement) as the Underwriters may reasonably request for the purposes contemplated by the Act; in case any Underwriter is required to deliver (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule), in connection with the sale of the Shares, a prospectus after the nine-month period referred to in Section 10(a)(3) of the Act, the Company will prepare, at its expense, promptly upon request such amendment or amendments to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as may be necessary to permit compliance with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Act;

(c) if, at the time this Agreement is executed and delivered, it is necessary or appropriate for a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, or a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) under the Act, to be filed with the Commission and become effective before the Shares may be sold, the Company will use its best efforts to cause such post-effective amendment or such Registration Statement to be filed and become effective, and will pay any applicable fees in accordance with the Act, as soon as possible; and the Company will advise you promptly and, if requested by you, will confirm such advice in writing, (i) when such post-effective amendment or such Registration Statement has become effective, and (ii) if Rule 430A under the Act is used, when the Prospectus is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act (which the Company agrees to file in a timely manner in accordance with such Rules);

(d) to advise you promptly, confirming such advice in writing, of any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Exchange Act Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information with respect thereto, or of notice of institution of proceedings for, or the entry of a stop order, suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and, if the Commission should enter a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, to use its best efforts to

 

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obtain the lifting or removal of such order as soon as possible; to advise you promptly of any proposal to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Exchange Act Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, and to provide you and Underwriters’ counsel copies of any such documents for review and comment a reasonable amount of time prior to any proposed filing and to file no such amendment or supplement to which you shall object in writing;

(e) subject to Section 5(d) hereof, to file promptly all reports and documents and any preliminary or definitive proxy or information statement required to be filed by the Company with the Commission in order to comply with the Exchange Act for so long as a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with any sale of Shares; and to provide you, for your review and comment, with a copy of such reports and statements and other documents to be filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during such period a reasonable amount of time prior to any proposed filing, and to file no such report, statement or document to which you shall have objected in writing; and to promptly notify you of such filing;

(f) to advise the Underwriters promptly of the happening of any event within the period during which a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with any sale of Shares, which event could require the making of any change in the Prospectus then being used so that the Prospectus would not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, and to advise the Underwriters promptly if, during such period, it shall become necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to cause the Prospectus to comply with the requirements of the Act, and, in each case, during such time, subject to Section 5(d) hereof, to prepare and furnish, at the Company’s expense, to the Underwriters promptly such amendments or supplements to such Prospectus as may be necessary to reflect any such change or to effect such compliance;

(g) to make generally available to its security holders, and to deliver to you, an earnings statement of the Company (which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period of twelve months beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act) as soon as is reasonably practicable after the termination of such twelve-month period but in any case not later than [ · ] [insert due date of last 10-K or 10-Q that would qualify under Rule 158 as an earnings statement covering 12 months after effectiveness];

(h) to furnish to each Managing Underwriter and underwriters’ counsel copies of the Registration Statement, as initially filed with the Commission, and of all amendments thereto (including all exhibits thereto) and sufficient copies of the foregoing (other than exhibits) for distribution of a copy to each of the other Underwriters;

 

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(i) to furnish to you as early as practicable prior to the time of purchase and any additional time of purchase, as the case may be, but not later than two business days prior thereto, a copy of the latest available unaudited interim and monthly consolidated financial statements, if any, of the Company and the Subsidiaries which have been read by the Company’s independent registered public accountants, as stated in their letter to be furnished pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof;

(j) to apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares in the manner set forth under the caption “Use of proceeds” in the Prospectus and to file such reports with the Commission with respect to the sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds therefrom as may be required by Rule 463 under the Act;

(k) to comply with Rule 433(d) under the Act (without reliance on Rule 164(b) under the Act) and with Rule 433(g) under the Act;

(l) to comply with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and to use its best efforts to cause the Company’s directors and officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with all applicable securities and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

(m) beginning on the date hereof and ending on, and including, the date that is 180 days after the date of the Prospectus (the “ Lock-Up Period ”), without the prior written consent of UBS, not to (i) issue, sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to, any Common Stock or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any warrants or other rights to purchase, the foregoing, (ii) file or cause to become effective a registration statement under the Act relating to the offer and sale of any Common Stock or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any warrants or other rights to purchase, the foregoing, (iii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Common Stock or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any warrants or other rights to purchase, the foregoing, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (iv) publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii), except, in each case, for (A) the registration of the offer and sale of the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement, (B) issuances of Common Stock upon the exercise of options or warrants disclosed as outstanding in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and (C) the issuance of stock options,

 

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restricted stock, stock appreciation rights or other stock-based awards to employees or directors that are not exercisable during the Lock-Up Period pursuant to stock option or other stock incentive plans described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus; provided , however , that if (a) during the period that begins on the date that is fifteen (15) calendar days plus three (3) business days before the last day of the Lock-Up Period and ends on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (b) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the sixteen (16) day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, then the restrictions imposed by this Section 5(m) shall continue to apply until the expiration of the date that is fifteen (15) calendar days plus three (3) business days after the date on which the issuance of the earnings release or the material news or material event occurs;

(n) prior to the time of purchase or any additional time of purchase, as the case may be, to issue no press release or other communication directly or indirectly and hold no press conferences with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary, the financial condition, results of operations, business, properties, assets, or liabilities of the Company or any Subsidiary, or the offering of the Shares, without your prior consent;

(o) not, at any time at or after the execution of this Agreement, to, directly or indirectly, offer or sell any Shares by means of any “prospectus” (within the meaning of the Act), or use any “prospectus” (within the meaning of the Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares, in each case other than the Prospectus;

(p) not to, and to cause the Subsidiaries not to, take, directly or indirectly, any action designed, or which will constitute, or has constituted, or might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares;

(q) to use its best efforts to cause the Common Stock, including the Shares, to be listed for quotation on the NASDAQ and to maintain such listing for quotation on the NASDAQ;

(r) to maintain a transfer agent and, if necessary under the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company, a registrar for the Common Stock; and

(s) to cause each Directed Share Participant that purchases at least $100,000 of Reserved Shares to execute a Lock-Up Agreement and otherwise to cause the Reserved Shares to be restricted from sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation to such extent as may be required by the NASD and its rules, and to direct the transfer agent to place stop transfer restrictions upon such Reserved Shares during the Lock-Up Period or any such longer period of time as may be required by the NASD and its rules; and to comply with all applicable securities and other laws, rules and regulations in each jurisdiction in which the Reserved Shares are offered in connection with the Directed Share Program.

 

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6. Certain Covenants of the Selling Stockholders . Each Selling Stockholder hereby agrees:

(a) not, at any time at or after the execution of this Agreement, to offer or sell any Shares by means of any “prospectus” (within the meaning of the Act), or use any “prospectus” (within the meaning of the Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Shares, in each case other than the Prospectus;

(b) not to take, directly or indirectly, any action designed, or which will constitute, or has constituted, or might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares;

(c) to pay or cause to be paid all taxes, if any, on the transfer and sale of the Shares being sold by such Selling Stockholder;

(d) to advise you promptly, and if requested by you, confirm such advice in writing, so long as a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with any sale of Shares, of any change in information in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, relating to such Selling Stockholder;

(e) with respect to Gazelle TechVentures Fund, L.P. and Gazelle Co-Investment Fund, L.P., to advise you promptly, and if requested by you, confirm such advice in writing, so long as a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with any sale of Shares, of (i) any material change in the business, properties, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, which comes to the attention of such Selling Stockholder, or (ii) any new material information relating to the Company or relating to any matter stated in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, which comes to the attention of such Selling Stockholder; and

(f) prior to or concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, to execute and deliver to the Underwriters a Power of Attorney, Custody Agreement and a Lock-Up Agreement.

7. Covenant to Pay Costs . The Company agrees to pay all costs, expenses, fees and taxes in connection with (i) the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and the printing and furnishing of copies of each thereof to the Underwriters and to dealers (including costs of mailing and shipment), (ii) the registration, issue, sale and delivery of the Shares including any stock or transfer taxes and stamp or similar

 

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duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Shares to the Underwriters, (iii) the producing, word processing and/or printing of this Agreement, any Agreement Among Underwriters, any dealer agreements, any Powers of Attorney and Custody Agreements and any closing documents (including compilations thereof) and the reproduction and/or printing and furnishing of copies of each thereof to the Underwriters and (except closing documents) to dealers (including costs of mailing and shipment), (iv) the qualification of the Shares for offering and sale under state or foreign laws and the determination of their eligibility for investment under state or foreign law (including the related legal fees and filing fees and other disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters) and the printing and furnishing of copies of any blue sky surveys or legal investment surveys to the Underwriters and to dealers, (v) any listing of the Shares on any securities exchange or qualification of the Shares for quotation on the NASDAQ and any registration thereof under the Exchange Act, (vi) any filing for review of the public offering of the Shares by the NASD, including the legal fees and filing fees and other disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters relating to NASD matters, (vii) the fees and disbursements of any transfer agent or registrar for the Shares, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company and such Selling Stockholder relating to presentations or meetings undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering and sale of the Shares to prospective investors and the Underwriters’ sales forces, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations, travel, lodging and other expenses incurred by the officers of the Company or by such Selling Stockholder and any such consultants, and 50% of the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, (ix) the costs and expenses of qualifying the Shares for inclusion in the book-entry settlement system of the DTC, (x) the preparation and filing of the Exchange Act Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto, (xi) the offer and sale of the Reserved Shares, including all costs and expenses of UBS-FinSvc and the Underwriters, including the fees and disbursement of counsel for the Underwriters and (xii) the performance of the Company’s and such Selling Stockholder’s other obligations hereunder.

8. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses . If the Shares are not delivered for any reason other than the termination of this Agreement pursuant to the fifth paragraph of Section 11 hereof or the default by one or more of the Underwriters in its or their respective obligations hereunder, the Company shall, in addition to paying the amounts described in Section 7 hereof, reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel.

9. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations . The several obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the respective representations and warranties on the part of the Company and each Selling Stockholder on the date hereof, at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, the performance by the Company and each Selling Stockholder of each of their respective obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions precedent:

(a) The Company shall furnish to you at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, an opinion of McGuireWoods LLP, counsel for the Company, addressed to the Underwriters, and dated the time of purchase

 

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or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, with executed copies for each of the other Underwriters, and in form and substance satisfactory to UBS, in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

(b) The Selling Stockholders shall furnish to you at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, an opinion of Ice Miller LLP, special counsel for the Selling Stockholders, addressed to the Underwriters, and dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, with executed copies for each of the other Underwriters, and in form and substance satisfactory to UBS.

(c) You shall have received from Grant Thornton LLP letters dated, respectively, the date of this Agreement, the date of the Prospectus, the time of purchase and, if applicable, the additional time of purchase, and addressed to the Underwriters (with executed copies for each of the Underwriters) in the forms satisfactory to UBS, which letters shall cover, without limitation, the various financial disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any.

(d) You shall have received at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, the favorable opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, counsel for the Underwriters, dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to UBS.

(e) No Prospectus or amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall have been filed to which you shall have objected in writing.

(f) The Registration Statement, the Exchange Act Registration Statement and any registration statement required to be filed, prior to the sale of the Shares, under the Act pursuant to Rule 462(b) shall have been filed and shall have become effective under the Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be. If Rule 430A under the Act is used, the Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act at or before 5:30 P.M., New York City time, on the second full business day after the date of this Agreement (or such earlier time as may be required under the Act).

(g) Prior to and at the time of purchase, and, if applicable, the additional time of purchase, (i) no stop order with respect to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the Act or proceedings initiated under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Act; (ii) the Registration Statement and all amendments thereto shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (iii) none of the Preliminary Prospectuses or the Prospectus, and no amendment or supplement thereto, shall include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; (iv) no Disclosure Package, and no amendment or supplement thereto, shall include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a

 

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material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; and (v) none of the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, shall include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

(h) The Company will, at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, deliver to you a certificate of its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto.

(i) The Selling Stockholders will, at the time of purchase and, if applicable, at the additional time of purchase, deliver to you a certificate signed by a Representative of the Selling Stockholders, dated the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be, in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto.

(j) You shall have received each of the signed Lock-Up Agreements referred to in Section 3(t) hereof, and each such Lock-Up Agreement shall be in full force and effect at the time of purchase and the additional time of purchase, as the case may be.

(k) The Company and each Selling Stockholder shall have furnished to you such other documents and certificates as to the accuracy and completeness of any statement in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as of the time of purchase and, if applicable, the additional time of purchase, as you may reasonably request.

(l) The Shares shall have been approved for listing on the NASDAQ, subject only to notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution at or prior to the time of purchase or the additional time of purchase, as the case may be.

(m) The NASD shall not have raised any objection with respect to the fairness or reasonableness of the underwriting, or other arrangements of the transactions, contemplated hereby.

(n) Each Selling Stockholder shall have delivered to you a duly executed Power of Attorney and a duly executed Custody Agreement, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to UBS.

10. Effective Date of Agreement; Termination . This Agreement shall become effective when the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement.

The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of UBS, if (1) since the time of execution of this Agreement or the earlier respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, there has been any change or any development involving a prospective

 

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change in the business, properties, management, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, the effect of which change or development is, in the sole judgment of UBS, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, or (2) since the time of execution of this Agreement, there shall have occurred: (A) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the NYSE, the American Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ; (B) a suspension or material limitation in trading in the Company’s securities on the NASDAQ; (C) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by either federal or New York State authorities or a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States; (D) an outbreak or escalation of hostilities or acts of terrorism involving the United States or a declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war; or (E) any other calamity or crisis or any change in financial, political or economic conditions in the United States or elsewhere, if the effect of any such event specified in clause (D) or (E), in the sole judgment of UBS, makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, or (3) since the time of execution of this Agreement, there shall have occurred any downgrading, or any notice or announcement shall have been given or made of: (A) any intended or potential downgrading or (B) any watch, review or possible change that does not indicate an affirmation or improvement in the rating accorded any securities of or guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as that term is defined in Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act.

If UBS elects to terminate this Agreement as provided in this Section 10, the Company, the Selling Stockholders and each other Underwriter shall be notified promptly in writing.

If the sale to the Underwriters of the Shares, as contemplated by this Agreement, is not carried out by the Underwriters for any reason permitted under this Agreement, or if such sale is not carried out because the Company or any Selling Stockholder, as the case may be, shall be unable to comply with any of the terms of this Agreement, the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall not be under any obligation or liability under this Agreement (except to the extent provided in Sections 7, 8 and 12 hereof), and the Underwriters shall be under no obligation or liability to the Company under this Agreement (except to the extent provided in Section 12 hereof) or to one another hereunder.

11. Increase in Underwriters’ Commitments . Subject to Sections 9 and 10 hereof, if any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to take up and pay for the Firm Shares to be purchased by it hereunder (otherwise than for a failure of a condition set forth in Section 9 hereof or a reason sufficient to justify the termination of this Agreement under the provisions of Section 10 hereof) and if the number of Firm Shares which all Underwriters so defaulting shall have agreed but failed to take up and pay for does not exceed 10% of the total number of Firm Shares, the non-defaulting Underwriters (including the Underwriters, if any, substituted in the manner set forth below) shall take up and pay for (in addition to the aggregate number of Firm Shares they

 

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are obligated to purchase pursuant to Section 1 hereof) the number of Firm Shares agreed to be purchased by all such defaulting Underwriters, as hereinafter provided. Such Shares shall be taken up and paid for by such non-defaulting Underwriters in such amount or amounts as you may designate with the consent of each Underwriter so designated or, in the event no such designation is made, such Shares shall be taken up and paid for by all non-defaulting Underwriters pro rata in proportion to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of such non-defaulting Underwriters in Schedule A .

Without relieving any defaulting Underwriter from its obligations hereunder, the Company and each Selling Stockholder agrees with the non-defaulting Underwriters that it will not sell any Firm Shares hereunder unless all of the Firm Shares are purchased by the Underwriters (or by substituted Underwriters selected by you with the approval of the Company or selected by the Company with your approval).

If a new Underwriter or Underwriters are substituted by the Underwriters or by the Company for a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters in accordance with the foregoing provision, the Company or you shall have the right to postpone the time of purchase for a period not exceeding five business days in order that any necessary changes in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and other documents may be effected.

The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall refer to and include any Underwriter substituted under this Section 11 with like effect as if such substituted Underwriter had originally been named in Schedule A hereto.

If the aggregate number of Firm Shares which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed to purchase exceeds 10% of the total number of Firm Shares which all Underwriters agreed to purchase hereunder, and if neither the non-defaulting Underwriters nor the Company shall make arrangements within the five business day period stated above for the purchase of all the Firm Shares which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed to purchase hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate without further act or deed and without any liability on the part of the Company or any Selling Stockholder to any Underwriter and without any liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter to the Company or to any Selling Stockholder. Nothing in this paragraph, and no action taken hereunder, shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

12. Indemnity and Contribution .

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Underwriter, its partners, directors and officers, and any person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons, from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, any such Underwriter or any such person may incur under the Act, the Exchange Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or

 

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alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or in the Registration Statement as amended by any post-effective amendment thereof by the Company) or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as any such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in, and in conformity with information concerning such Underwriter furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you to the Company expressly for use in, the Registration Statement or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in the Registration Statement in connection with such information, which material fact was not contained in such information and which material fact was required to be stated in such Registration Statement or was necessary to make such information not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any Prospectus (the term Prospectus for the purpose of this Section 12 being deemed to include any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to the foregoing), in any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, in any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Act) of the Company, which “issuer information” is required to be, or is, filed with the Commission, or in any Prospectus together with any combination of one or more of the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except, with respect to such Prospectus or Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, insofar as any such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in, and in conformity with information concerning such Underwriter furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you to the Company expressly for use in, such Prospectus or Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in such Prospectus or Permitted Free Writing Prospectus in connection with such information, which material fact was not contained in such information and which material fact was necessary in order to make the statements in such information, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (iii) the Directed Share Program, except, with respect to this clause (iii), insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim is finally judicially determined to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Underwriters in conducting the Directed Share Program.

Without limitation of and in addition to its obligations under the other paragraphs of this Section 12, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless UBS-FinSvc and its partners, directors and officers, and any person who controls UBS-FinSvc within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons, from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, UBS-FinSvc or any such person may incur under the Act, the Exchange Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (1) arises out of or is based upon (a) any of the

 

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matters referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) of the first paragraph of this Section 12(a), or (b) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any material prepared by or on behalf or with the consent of the Company for distribution to Directed Share Participants in connection with the Directed Share Program or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (2) is or was caused by the failure of any Directed Share Participant to pay for and accept delivery of Reserved Shares that the Directed Share Participant has agreed to purchase; or (3) otherwise arises out of or is based upon the Directed Share Program, provided , however , that the Company shall not be responsible under this clause (3) for any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim that is finally judicially determined to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of UBS-FinSvc in conducting the Directed Share Program. Section 12(d) shall apply equally to any Proceeding (as defined below) brought against UBS-FinSvc or any such person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, except that the Company shall be liable for the expenses of one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel) for UBS-FinSvc and any such person, separate and in addition to counsel for the persons who may seek indemnification pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 12(a), in any such Proceeding.

(b) Each Selling Stockholder agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Underwriter, its partners, directors and officers, and any person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons, from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, any such Underwriter or any such person may incur under the Act, the Exchange Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or in the Registration Statement as amended by any post-effective amendment thereof by the Company), as such Registration Statement relates to such Selling Stockholder, or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein as they relate to such Selling Stockholder not misleading or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any Prospectus, in any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or in any Prospectus together with any combination of one or more of the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, in each case as such document(s) relate to such Selling Stockholder, or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein as they relate to such Selling Stockholder, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided , however , that no Selling Stockholder shall be responsible, either pursuant to this Section 12(b) for losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims arising out of or based upon such untrue statement or omission or allegation thereof based upon information furnished by any party other than such Selling Stockholder and, in any event, no Selling Stockholder shall be responsible, pursuant to this Section 12(b), or contribution pursuant to Section 12(e), for losses, damages,

 

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expenses, liabilities or claims for an amount in excess of the aggregate initial public offering price of the Shares sold by such Selling Stockholder to the Underwriters pursuant hereto.

(c) Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, its directors and officers, each Selling Stockholder and any person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons, from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally, the Company, such Selling Stockholder or any such person may incur under the Act, the Exchange Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in, and in conformity with information concerning such Underwriter furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you to the Company expressly for use in, the Registration Statement (or in the Registration Statement as amended by any post-effective amendment thereof by the Company), or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in such Registration Statement in connection with such information, which material fact was not contained in such information and which material fact was required to be stated in such Registration Statement or was necessary to make such information not misleading or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in, and in conformity with information concerning such Underwriter furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through you to the Company expressly for use in, a Prospectus or a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in such Prospectus or Permitted Free Writing Prospectus in connection with such information, which material fact was not contained in such information and which material fact was necessary in order to make the statements in such information, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(d) If any action, suit or proceeding (each, a “ Proceeding ”) is brought against a person (an “ indemnified party ”) in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company, a Selling Stockholder or an Underwriter (as applicable, the “ indemnifying party ”) pursuant to subsection (a), (b) or (c), respectively, of this Section 12, such indemnified party shall promptly notify such indemnifying party in writing of the institution of such Proceeding and such indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such Proceeding, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and payment of all fees and expenses; provided , however , that the omission to so notify such indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability which such indemnifying party may have to any indemnified party or otherwise, except to the extent that such indemnifying party has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure. The indemnified party or parties shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party or parties unless the employment of such counsel shall have been

 

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authorized in writing by the indemnifying party (or, in the case such indemnifying party is a Selling Stockholder, by such Selling Stockholder or by a Representative of the Selling Stockholders) in connection with the defense of such Proceeding or the indemnifying party shall not have, within a reasonable period of time in light of the circumstances, employed counsel to defend such Proceeding or such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded, after consultation with counsel, that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from, additional to or in conflict with those available to such indemnifying party (in which case such indemnifying party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such Proceeding on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events such fees and expenses shall be borne by such indemnifying party and paid as incurred (it being understood, however, that, except as provided in the second paragraph of Section 12(a), such indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel) in any one Proceeding or series of related Proceedings in the same jurisdiction representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such Proceeding). The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any Proceeding effected without its written consent (or, in the case such indemnifying party is a Selling Stockholder, without the written consent of either such Selling Stockholder or a Representative of the Selling Stockholders) but, if settled with its written consent (or, in the case such indemnifying party is a Selling Stockholder, with the written consent of such Selling Stockholder or of a Representative of the Selling Stockholders), such indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified party or parties from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party (or, where such indemnifying party is a Selling Stockholder, requested such Selling Stockholder or any Representative of the Selling Stockholders) to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second sentence of this Section 12(d), then the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any Proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60 business days after receipt by such indemnifying party (or, where such indemnifying party is a Selling Stockholder, receipt by such Selling Stockholder or by any Representative of the Selling Stockholders) of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have fully reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement and (iii) such indemnified party shall have given the indemnifying party (or, where such indemnifying party is a Selling Stockholder, given such Selling Stockholder or any Representative of the Selling Stockholders) at least 30 days’ prior notice of its intention to settle. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party (or, where such indemnified party is a Selling Stockholder, the prior written consent of such Selling Stockholder or of any Representative of the Selling Stockholders) effect any settlement of any pending or threatened Proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding and does not include an admission of fault or culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of such indemnified party.

 

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(e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 12 is unavailable to an indemnified party under subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 12 or insufficient to hold an indemnified party harmless in respect of any losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, damages, expenses, liabilities or claims, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total proceeds from the offering (net of underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders, and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission relates to information supplied by the Company or the Selling Stockholders or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, damages, expenses, liabilities and claims referred to in this subsection shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending any Proceeding.

(f) The Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 12 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in subsection (e) above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 12, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by such Underwriter and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damage which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 12 are several in proportion to their respective underwriting commitments and not joint.

 

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(g) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 12 and the covenants, warranties and representations of the Company and the Selling Stockholders contained in this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, its partners, directors or officers or any person (including each partner, officer or director of such person) who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, or by or on behalf of the Company or the Selling Stockholders, their respective directors or officers or any person who controls the Company or any Selling Stockholder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and shall survive any termination of this Agreement or the issuance and delivery of the Shares to be sold by the Company pursuant hereto and the delivery of the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders pursuant hereto. The Company, the Selling Stockholders and each Underwriter agree promptly to notify each other of the commencement of any Proceeding against it and, in the case of the Company or a Selling Stockholder, against any of the Company’s officers or directors in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares, or in connection with the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.

13. Information Furnished by the Underwriters . The statements set forth in the last paragraph on the cover page of the Prospectus and the statements set forth in the “Commissions and Discounts” and “Price Stabilization, Short Positions” paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting” in the Prospectus, only insofar as such statements relate to the amount of selling concession and reallowance or to over-allotment and stabilization activities that may be undertaken by the Underwriters, constitute the only information furnished by or on behalf of the Underwriters, as such information is referred to in Sections 3 and 12 hereof.

14. Notices . Except as otherwise herein provided, all statements, requests, notices and agreements shall be in writing or by telegram or facsimile and, if to the Underwriters, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent to UBS Securities LLC, 299 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10171-0026, Attention: Syndicate Department and, if to the Company, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent to the Company at the offices of the Company at 9931 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Park, IL 60131, (facsimile: [ · ]), Attention: Raja Parvez, Chief Executive Officer, and, if to any Selling Stockholder, shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent to any Representative of the Selling Stockholders at [ · ], (facsimile: [ · ]), Attention: [ · ].

15. Governing Law; Construction . This Agreement and any claim, counterclaim or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement (“ Claim ”), directly or indirectly, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. The section headings in this Agreement have been inserted as a matter of convenience of reference and are not a part of this Agreement.

 

- 37 -


16. Submission to Jurisdiction . Except as set forth below, no Claim may be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any court other than the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which courts shall have jurisdiction over the adjudication of such matters, and the Company and the Selling Stockholders each consents to the jurisdiction of such courts and personal service with respect thereto. The Company and the Selling Stockholders each hereby consents to personal jurisdiction, service and venue in any court in which any Claim arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement is brought by any third party against any Underwriter or any indemnified party. Each Underwriter and the Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and each Selling Stockholder (on its behalf and, in the case such Selling Stockholder is not an individual, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates), each waive all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based upon contract, tort or otherwise) in any way arising out of or relating to this Agreement. The Company and the Selling Stockholders each agree that a final judgment in any such action, proceeding or counterclaim brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company and each Selling Stockholder and may be enforced in any other courts to the jurisdiction of which the Company or any Selling Stockholder is or may be subject, by suit upon such judgment.

17. Parties at Interest . The Agreement herein set forth has been and is made solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and the Company and the Selling Stockholders and to the extent provided in Section 12 hereof the controlling persons, partners, directors and officers referred to in such Section, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, personal representatives and executors and administrators. No other person, partnership, association or corporation (including a purchaser, as such purchaser, from any of the Underwriters) shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement.

18. No Fiduciary Relationship . The Company and the Selling Stockholders each hereby acknowledges that the Underwriters are acting solely as underwriters in connection with the purchase and sale of the Company’s securities. The Company and the Selling Stockholders each further acknowledges that the Underwriters are acting pursuant to a contractual relationship created solely by this Agreement entered into on an arm’s length basis, and in no event do the parties intend that the Underwriters act or be responsible as a fiduciary to the Company or any Selling Stockholder, their respective management, stockholders or creditors or any other person in connection with any activity that the Underwriters may undertake or have undertaken in furtherance of the purchase and sale of the Company’s securities, either before or after the date hereof. The Underwriters hereby expressly disclaim any fiduciary or similar obligations to the Company or any Selling Stockholder, either in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions, and the Company and the Selling Stockholders each hereby confirms its understanding and agreement to that effect. The Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters agree that they are each responsible for making their own independent judgments with respect to any such transactions and that any opinions or views expressed by the Underwriters to the Company or any Selling Stockholder regarding such transactions, including, but not limited to, any opinions or views with respect to the price or market for the Company’s securities, do not constitute advice or recommendations to the Company or any Selling Stockholder. The Company and the Selling Stockholders each

 

- 38 -


hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company or any Selling Stockholder may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of any fiduciary or similar duty to the Company or any Selling Stockholder in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions.

19. Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed by the parties in one or more counterparts which together shall constitute one and the same agreement among the parties.

20. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Underwriters and the Company and the Selling Stockholders and their successors and assigns and any successor or assign of any substantial portion of the Company’s, the Selling Stockholder’s and any of the Underwriters’ respective businesses and/or assets.

21. Miscellaneous . UBS, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of UBS AG, is not a bank and is separate from any affiliated bank, including any U.S. branch or agency of UBS AG. Because UBS is a separately incorporated entity, it is solely responsible for its own contractual obligations and commitments, including obligations with respect to sales and purchases of securities. Securities sold, offered or recommended by UBS are not deposits, are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, are not guaranteed by a branch or agency, and are not otherwise an obligation or responsibility of a branch or agency.

[The Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]

 

- 39 -


If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding among the Company, the Selling Stockholders and the several Underwriters, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this Agreement and your acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement among the Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters, severally.

 

Very truly yours,
R UBICON T ECHNOLOGY , I NC .
By:    
  Name: Raja Parvez
  Title: Chief Executive Officer


T HE S ELLING S TOCKHOLDERS NAMED IN S CHEDULE C HERETO
By:   [ REPRESENTATIVE ], Attorney-in-Fact
By:    
  Name:
  Title:


Accepted and agreed to as of the date first above written, on behalf of itself and the other several Underwriters named in Schedule A
UBS S ECURITIES LLC
By:   UBS S ECURITIES LLC
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
By:    
  Name:
  Title:


SCHEDULE A

 

Underwriter

   Number of
Firm Shares
 

UBS SECURITIES LLC

   [              ]

CANACCORD ADAMS INC.

   [              ]

CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP.

   [              ]

JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT LLC

   [              ]
  
  
  
  
  
      

Total

   [              ]
      


SCHEDULE B


SCHEDULE C

 

    

Number

of Firm
Shares

  

Number of
Additional
Shares

Company

   [# of firm shares from company]    [# of company additional shares]

Selling Stockholders

     

[____]

   [              ]    [              ]

[____]

   [              ]    [              ]

[____]

   [              ]    [              ]

[____]

   [              ]    [              ]

[____]

   [              ]    [              ]
     
     
     
     
     
         

Total

   [# of firm shares]    [# of additional shares]
         


EXHIBIT A

Lock-Up Agreement

July [     ], 2007

UBS Securities LLC

Together with the other Underwriters

named in Schedule A to the Underwriting Agreement

referred to herein

c/o UBS Securities LLC

299 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10171-0026

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Lock-Up Agreement is being delivered to you in connection with the proposed Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) to be entered into by Rubicon Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and the other underwriters named in Schedule A to the Underwriting Agreement, with respect to the public offering (the “ Offering ”) of common stock, par value $[par value] per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”).

In order to induce you to enter into the Underwriting Agreement, the undersigned agrees that, for a period (the “ Lock-Up Period ”) beginning on the date hereof and ending on, and including, the date that is 180 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to the Offering, the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of UBS Securities LLC, (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file (or participate in the filing of) a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder (the “ Exchange Act ”) with respect to, any Common Stock or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any warrants or other rights to purchase, the foregoing, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Common Stock or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any warrants or other rights to purchase, the foregoing, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) publicly announce an intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii). The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (a) the registration of the offer and sale of Common Stock as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement and the sale of the Common

 

A-1


Stock to the Underwriters (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) in the Offering, (b) bona fide gifts or by will or intestacy, provided the recipient thereof agrees in writing with the Underwriters to be bound by the terms of this Lock-Up Agreement or (c) dispositions to any trust, family limited partnership or other entity for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned and/or the immediate family of the undersigned, provided that such trust, family limited partnership or other entity agrees in writing with the Underwriters to be bound by the terms of this Lock-Up Agreement, and provided further that no public announcement of such disposition or filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock, shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-up Period. For purposes of this paragraph, “immediate family” shall mean the undersigned and the spouse, any lineal descendent, father, mother, brother or sister of the undersigned.

In addition, except with respect to shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the undersigned hereby waives any rights the undersigned may have to require registration of Common Stock in connection with the filing of a registration statement relating to the Offering. The undersigned further agrees that, for the Lock-Up Period, except with respect to shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of UBS Securities LLC, make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, or warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or any such securities.

Notwithstanding the above, if (a) during the period that begins on the date that is fifteen (15) calendar days plus three (3) business days before the last day of the Lock-Up Period and ends on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (b) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the sixteen (16) day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, then the restrictions imposed by this Lock-Up Agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the date that is fifteen (15) calendar days plus three (3) business days after the date on which the issuance of the earnings release or the material news or material event occurs.

In addition, the undersigned hereby waives any and all preemptive rights, participation rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights that the undersigned may have in connection with the Offering or with any issuance or sale by the Company of any equity or other securities before the Offering, except for any such rights as have been heretofore duly exercised.

The undersigned hereby confirms that the undersigned has not, directly or indirectly, taken, and hereby covenants that the undersigned will not, directly or indirectly, take, any action designed, or which has constituted or will constitute or might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of shares of Common Stock.

*     *     *

 

A-2


If (i) the Company notifies you in writing that it does not intend to proceed with the Offering, (ii) the registration statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Offering is withdrawn or (iii) for any reason the Underwriting Agreement shall be terminated prior to the “time of purchase” (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement), this Lock-Up Agreement shall be terminated and the undersigned shall be released from its obligations hereunder.

 

Yours very truly,
   
Name:

 

A-3


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF OPINION OF MCGUIRE WOODS LLP

[ · ] [ · ], 2007

UBS Securities LLC

Canaccord Adams Inc.

CIBC World Markets Corp.

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

     as Managing Underwriters

c/o UBS Securities LLC

299 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10171-0026

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

1. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the preliminary prospectus of the Company, dated [ · ], relating to the Shares (the “ Preliminary Prospectus ”), the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses attached hereto as Annex A , to execute and deliver the Underwriting Agreement and to perform its obligations thereunder, including, without limitation, to issue, sell and deliver the Shares as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement.

 

2. The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business, as described in the Disclosure Package, requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3. The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

 

4. The Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

5.

The Company has an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (and any similar sections or information, if any, contained in any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus attached hereto as Annex A ) in the table set forth under the heading “Capitalization”; all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are free of statutory preemptive rights and, to

 

B-1


 

our knowledge, contractual preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights; the Shares are free of statutory preemptive rights and, to our knowledge, contractual preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal and similar rights; the certificates for the Shares are in due and proper form; the Eighth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the Bylaws of the Company, each in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, are the charter and bylaws in effect as of closing, have been heretofore duly authorized and adopted, have been filed if and as required, and are in full force and effect as of the date hereof, in each case in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

6. The capital stock of the Company, including the Shares, conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses attached hereto as Annex A .

 

7. The Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (except as to the financial statements and schedules, and other financial data derived therefrom, contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, as to which we express no opinion) complied as to form as of the effective date of the Registration Statement and the date hereof in all material respects with the requirements of the Act (including, in the case of the Prospectus, Section 10(a) of the Act).

 

8. The Registration Statement has become effective under the Act and, to our knowledge, no stop order proceedings with respect thereto are pending or threatened under the Act, and any required filing of the Prospectus and any supplement thereto pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act has been made in the manner and within the time period required by such Rule 424 and in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 430A under the Act; and the class of securities consisting of the Common Stock has become registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

9. No approval, authorization, consent or order under any federal law, the laws of the States of New York or Illinois or under the Delaware General Corporation Law or approval, authorization, consent of or filing with any New York, Illinois or Delaware governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency, or approval of the stockholders of the Company, is required in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares or with the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement other than registration of the Shares under the Act, which has been effected (except that we express no opinion as to any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of any foreign jurisdictions or of any states or other jurisdictions in the United States of America in which the Shares are being offered by the Underwriters and we express no opinion with respect to the Conduct Rules of the NASD).

 

10.

The execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement by the Company, the issuance and sale of the Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement do not and will not result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under (nor constitute any event which, with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under or give the holder of

 

B-2


 

any indebtedness (or a person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a part of such indebtedness under) (or result in the creation or imposition of a lien, charge or encumbrance on any property or assets of the Company pursuant to) (i) the charter or bylaws of the Company, or (ii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument (collectively, “ Agreements and Instruments ”) which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or is otherwise known by us to be an Agreement and Instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or its properties may be bound or affected, or (iii) federal laws, the laws of the States of New York, Illinois or the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) any decree, judgment or order applicable to the Company or any of its properties, which decree, judgment or order is known by us.

 

11. To our knowledge, there are no contracts, licenses, agreements, leases or documents of a character which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which have not been so described or filed as required.

 

12. To our knowledge, (i) the Company is not a party to any legal or governmental action or proceeding that challenges the validity or enforceability, or seeks to enjoin the performance, of the Underwriting Agreement; and (ii) there are no actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings pending, threatened or contemplated to which the Company or any of its directors or officers is or would be a party or to which any of the Company’s properties is or would be subject at law or in equity, before or by any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus but are not so described as required.

 

13. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds therefrom as described under the heading “Use of Proceeds” in the Disclosure Package, the Company will not be, an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act.

 

14. The statements in (A) the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the headings “Business—Legal Proceedings,” “Executive compensation—Employment and severance arrangements,” “Certain relationships and related party transactions,” “Description of capital stock,” “Shares eligible for future sale,” “Certain material US federal tax considerations for non-US holders,” “Underwriting” (but only as to the matters described under “Overallotment option”, “No sales of similar securities” and “Indemnification and Contribution” and (B) the Registration Statement in items 14 and 15, in each case of (A) or (B), insofar as such statements constitute summaries of documents or legal proceedings or refer to matters of law or legal conclusions, fairly summarize or present, in all material respects and present fairly the information purported to be shown.

 

B-3


15. Except as described in the Disclosure Package, no person has the right, pursuant to the terms of any contract, agreement or other instrument described in or filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise known to us, to cause the Company to register under the Act any shares of Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock or other equity interest in the Company or to include any such shares or interest in the Registration Statement or the offering contemplated thereby.

 

16. We have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants of the Company and representatives of the Underwriters at which the contents of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses were discussed and, although we are not passing upon and do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus (except as and to the extent stated in subparagraphs 5, 6 and 14 above), on the basis of the foregoing, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that (i) the Registration Statement, at the Effective Time, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) the Disclosure Package (as defined below), as of the Applicable Time (as defined below), when taken together with the Pricing Information (as defined below), included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (iii) the Prospectus, as of its date, or as of the date hereof, included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (it being understood that we express no opinion in this paragraph 16 with respect to the financial statements and schedules, and other financial data derived therefrom, included in or omitted from the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus). As used herein, (A) “ Disclosure Package ” means the Preliminary Prospectus together with the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses attached hereto as Annex A , (B) “ Applicable Time ” means [              ] [“A.M.” / “P.M.”], New York City time, on [              ], and (C) “ Pricing Information ” means (i) the number of Shares offered for sale pursuant to the Prospectus and (ii) the public offering price per Share, in the case of each of clause (C)(i) and clause (C)(ii), as reflected on the cover page of the Prospectus.

Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE

Each of the undersigned, Raja Parvez, Chief Executive Officer and President of Rubicon Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and William F. Weissman, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, on behalf of the Company, does hereby certify pursuant to Section 9(h) of that certain Underwriting Agreement dated [ · ] (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) among the Company, the Selling Stockholders named therein and, on behalf of the several Underwriters named therein, UBS Securities LLC, that as of [ · ]:

 

1. He has reviewed the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.

 

2. The representations and warranties of the Company as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement are true and correct as of the date hereof and as if made on the date hereof.

 

3. The Company has performed all of its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement as are to be performed at or before the date hereof.

 

4. The conditions set forth in paragraph (g) of Section 9 of the Underwriting Agreement have been met.

Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Underwriting Agreement.

I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the undersigned have hereunto set their hands on this [ · ].

 

     
Name:   Raja Parvez
Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President
     
Name:   William Weissman
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

C-1


EXHIBIT D

CERTIFICATE OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

The undersigned, [              ], on behalf of each Selling Stockholder (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement referred to below), does hereby certify pursuant to Section 9(m) of that certain Underwriting Agreement dated [pricing date] (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) among the Company, the Selling Stockholders named therein, and the Underwriters named therein, and pursuant to the Powers of Attorney (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement), that as of [date]:

 

1. Each Selling Stockholder has reviewed the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.

 

2. The representations and warranties of each Selling Stockholder as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement are true and correct as of the date hereof and as if made on the date hereof.

 

3. Each Selling Stockholder has performed all of its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement as are to be performed at or before the date hereof.

Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Underwriting Agreement.

I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the undersigned has hereunto set his, her or its hands on this [date] on behalf of each Selling Stockholder.

 

“T HE S ELLING S TOCKHOLDERS NAMED IN S CHEDULE  C TO THE U NDERWRITING A GREEMENT
By:   [ REPRESENTATIVE ], Attorney-in-Fact
   
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

D-1

Exhibit 3.1

EIGHTH

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

RUBICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 


Rubicon Technology, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify:

FIRST : That the name of the Corporation is Rubicon Technology, Inc. and its original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 7, 2001 (the “Certificate of Incorporation”). The provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as heretofore amended and/or supplemented, and as herein amended, are hereby amended and restated as the single instrument which is hereinafter set forth, and which is entitled the Eighth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (the “Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), without further amendment other than the amendments herein certified.

SECOND : That, at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) duly called and held on August 29, 2007, the Board adopted a resolution setting forth the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, declaring it advisable and recommending that such Restated Certificate of Incorporation be approved by the stockholders, and submitting it to the vote of the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote in respect thereof for their consideration.

THIRD : That thereafter, by written consent in lieu of a special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation pursuant to Section 228(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) and the provision of notice to the non-consenting stockholders of the Corporation pursuant to Section 228(e) of the DGCL or the receipt of a waiver in lieu of such notice as permitted by Section 229 of the DGCL, the stockholders of the Corporation adopted a resolution approving the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

FOURTH : That this Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and amends the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation in its entirety and has been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL.

FIFTH : That the text of the Certificate of Incorporation is hereby restated and amended to read in its entirety as follows:

 


ARTICLE 1

NAME

The name of the corporation is Rubicon Technology, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE 2

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware 19808. The name of its registered agent at that address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE 3

PURPOSE AND POWERS

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”). The Corporation shall have all power necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of such acts and activities.

ARTICLE 4

CAPITAL STOCK

The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 90,000,000 shares, which is divided into two classes as follows: 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”) with a par value of $0.001 per share, and 85,000,000 shares of Common Stock (“Common Stock”) with a par value of $0.001 per share.

ARTICLE 5

TERMS, RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES OF CAPITAL STOCK

The designations, voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the above classes of stock are as follows:

(a) Preferred Stock . The Board or any authorized committee thereof is expressly authorized, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to provide for the issuance of the shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series of such stock, and by filing a certificate pursuant to applicable law of the State of Delaware, to establish or change from time to time the number of shares of each such series, and to fix, by resolution or resolutions, the designations, powers, including voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. Shares of Preferred Stock which shall be issued and thereafter acquired by the Corporation through purchase, redemption, exchange, conversion or otherwise shall return to the status of authorized but unissued Preferred Stock, undesignated as to series, unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board.

The Board is further authorized to increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of the class) or decrease (but not below the number of shares of any

 

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such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series, the number of which was fixed by it, subsequent to the issuance of shares of such series then outstanding, subject to the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof stated in the Certificate of Incorporation or the resolution of the Board originally fixing the number of shares of such series. If the number of shares of any series is so decreased, then the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status which they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

(b) Common Stock .

(i) Dividends . Subject to the preferential rights of the Preferred Stock, the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to receive, to the extent permitted by law, such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board.

(ii) Liquidation . In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up of the Corporation, after distribution in full of the preferential amounts, if any, to be distributed to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively. The Board may distribute in kind to the holders of Common Stock such remaining assets of the Corporation or may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of such remaining assets to any other corporation, trust or other entity and receive payment therefor in cash, stock or obligations of such other corporation, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof, and may sell all or any part of the consideration so received and distribute any balance thereof in kind to holders of Common Stock. The merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with any other corporation, or the merger of any other corporation into it, or any purchase or redemption of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class, shall not be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation for the purposes of this paragraph.

(iii) Voting Rights . Except as may be otherwise required by law or this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, each holder of Common Stock has one vote in respect of each share of stock held by such holder of record on the books of the Corporation on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.

ARTICLE 6

STOCKHOLDER ACTION

(a) Except as otherwise required by statute and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board acting pursuant to a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors then in office. Only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation.

 

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(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be taken or effected by a written consent of stockholders in lieu thereof.

(c) Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 7

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

(a) Election of directors need not be by written ballot except to the extent provided in the bylaws of the Corporation.

(b) The number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time in the manner set forth in the Bylaws.

(c) Directors shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the plurality of shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote.

(d) The Board shall be divided into three classes with each class containing one third of the total number of directors as nearly equal in numbers as possible, hereby designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Any inequality among the classes in the number of directors comprising such classes shall not impair the validity of any action taken by the Board. Directors of the Class I shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2008, the directors of Class II shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2009, and the directors of Class III shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2010.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation, the terms of the directors so elected shall expire at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders.

(f) Subject to the foregoing, at each annual meeting of stockholders the successors to the class of directors whose term shall then expire shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting.

(g) In the event of any increase or decrease in the authorized number of directors, each director then serving shall nevertheless continue as a director of the class of which such person is a member until the expiration of such person’s term, or such person’s earlier death, resignation or retirement.

(h) Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors and to fill vacancies in the Board, any and all vacancies in the Board, however occurring, including, without limitation, by reason of an increase in the size of the Board, or the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of a director, shall be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by the

 

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sole remaining director, at any meeting of the Board and not by the stockholders. Any director appointed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the new directorship was created or the vacancy occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation, death or removal.

(i) Subject to the rights, if any, of any series of Preferred Stock to elect Directors and to remove any Director whom the holders of any such stock have the right to elect, any Director (including persons elected by Directors to fill vacancies in the Board) may be removed from office (i) only with cause and (ii) only by the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% or more of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of Directors. At least forty-five (45) days prior to any meeting of stockholders at which it is proposed that any Director be removed from office, written notice of such proposed removal and the alleged grounds thereof shall be sent to the Director whose removal will be considered at the meeting.

ARTICLE 8

LIMITATION ON DIRECTOR LIABILITY

To the fullest extent that the DGCL as it exists or as it may hereafter be amended permits the limitation or elimination of the liability of directors, no director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL or any successor statute is amended after the adoption of this provision to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended from time to time.

Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article 8, nor the adoption of any provision of this Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article 8, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article 8 in respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Article 8, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

(a) Amendment by Directors . Except as otherwise provided by law, the Bylaws of the Corporation may be amended or repealed by the Board by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors then in office.

(b) Amendment by Stockholders . The Bylaws of the Corporation may be amended or repealed at any annual meeting of stockholders, or special meeting of stockholders called for such purpose as provided in the Bylaws, by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, voting together as a single class; provided, however, that if the Board recommends that stockholders approve such amendment or repeal at such meeting of stockholders, such amendment or repeal shall only require the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, voting together as a single class.

 

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ARTICLE 10

AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal this Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute and this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation. Whenever any vote of the holders of voting stock is required to amend or repeal any provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and in addition to any other vote of holders of voting stock that is required by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by law, such amendment or repeal shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, and the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, at a duly constituted meeting of stockholders called expressly for such purpose; provided, however, that the affirmative vote of not less than 75% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, and the affirmative vote of not less than 75% of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, shall be required to amend or repeal any provision of Article 6, Article 7, Article 8, Article 9 or Article 10 of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Rubicon Technology, Inc. has caused this Eighth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its duly authorized officer, as of this          day of                 , 2007.

 

By:    
By:   Raja M. Parvez
Its:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

of

RUBICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(the “Corporation”)

 

 


ARTICLE 1

Offices and records

Section 1.1 Delaware Office . The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware 19808. The name of its registered agent at that address is Corporation Service Company.

Section 1.2 Other Offices . The Corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business of the Corporation may from time to time require.

Section 1.3 Books and Records . The books and records of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 2

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.1 Annual Meetings . An annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held for the election of directors at such date, time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by the Board of Directors from time to time. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting.

Section 2.2 Special Meetings . Special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Board of Directors. Such special meetings shall be held at such date, time and place either within or without the State of Delaware as may be stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2.3 Notice of Meetings . Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.

 

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Section 2.4 Adjournments . Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 2.5 Quorum . At each meeting of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting shall constitute a quorum. For purposes of the foregoing, two or more classes or series of stock shall be considered a single class if the holders thereof are entitled to vote together as a single class at the meeting. In the absence of a quorum, the stockholders so present may, by majority vote, adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.4 of these Bylaws until a quorum shall attend.

Section 2.6 Organization . Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the President, or in the absence of the President by a Vice President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation, by a chairman chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 2.7 Voting; Proxies .

(a) Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by the stockholder which has voting power upon the matter in question.

(b) Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for the stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A written proxy may be in the form of a telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission which sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission was authorized by the person.

(c) A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation.

(d) Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of all classes of stock entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall so determine.

(e) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, at all meetings of stockholders for the election of directors, the vote of a plurality of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy shall be required to elect.

 

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All other elections and questions shall, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, be decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy at the meeting.

Section 2.8 Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record . In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date: (a) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting and (b) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than sixty days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed: (i) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; and (ii) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 2.9 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote . The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic email addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Such list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.

Section 2.10 Advance Notice Procedures; Notice of Annual Meetings of Stockholders .

(a) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (1) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (2) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (3) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in the Bylaws, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in the Bylaws.

(b) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (3) of Section 2.10(a), the stockholder must have

 

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given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 60th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (1) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 14a-11 promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (2) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (3) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner and (ii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 2.10(b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least 70 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required herein shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(d) General .

(i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth herein shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth herein. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be disregarded.

 

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(ii) For purposes herein, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights (1) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (2) of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors under specified circumstances.

Section 2.11 Inspectors of Election. Before any meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3). If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, then the chairperson of the meeting may, and upon the request of any stockholder or a stockholder’s proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.

Such inspectors shall: (i) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies and ballots, (ii) count all votes and ballots, (iii) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any and all challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, (iv) determine when the polls shall close, (v) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and their count of all votes and ballots, and (vi) do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders.

The inspectors of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practical. If there are three (3) inspectors of election, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

ARTICLE 3

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.1 Functions and Compensation . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided in the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 3.2 Number; Qualifications . The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person. The Board of Directors shall be fixed solely and exclusively by resolution duly adopted from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. The directors shall hold office in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. No director need be a stockholder of the Corporation.

Section 3.3 Resignation; Removal; Vacancies . Any Director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. A resignation shall be effective upon receipt, unless the resignation otherwise provides. Directors may be removed from office only in the

 

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manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled in the manner provide in the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 3.4 Regular Meetings . The regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held, without notice other than this Section 3.4, on the same date and at the same place as the Annual Meeting following the close of such meeting of stockholders. Other regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such hour, date and place as the Board of Directors may by resolution from time to time determine and publicize by means of reasonable notice given to any director who is not present at the meeting at which such resolution is adopted.

Section 3.5 Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called, orally or in writing, by or at the request of a majority of the directors, the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, or the President. The person calling any such special meeting of the Board of Directors may fix the hour, date and place thereof.

Section 3.6 Notice of Meetings . Notice of the hour, date and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or in case of the death, absence, incapacity or refusal of such persons, by the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, or the President or such other officer designated by the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, or the President. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director in person, by telephone, or by facsimile, electronic mail or other form of electronic communication, sent to his or her business or home address, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, or by written notice mailed to his or her business or home address, at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when hand delivered to such address, read to such director by telephone, deposited in the mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid if mailed, dispatched or transmitted if faxed, telexed or telecopied, or when delivered to the telegraph company if sent by telegram.

A written waiver of notice signed before or after a meeting by a director and filed with the records of the meeting shall be deemed to be equivalent to notice of the meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because such meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Except as otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting .

Section 3.7 Quorum . At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if less than a quorum is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice, except as provided herein. Any business which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed may be transacted at such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present. For purposes of this section, the total number of directors includes any unfilled vacancies on the Board of Directors.

Section 3.8 Action at Meeting . At any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of the directors present shall constitute action by the Board of Directors, unless otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.

 

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Section 3.9 Action by Consent . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board of Directors. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form. Such consent shall be treated as a resolution of the Board of Directors for all purposes.

Section 3.10 Manner of Participation . Directors may participate in meetings of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all directors participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting in accordance herewith shall constitute presence in person at such meeting for purposes of these Bylaws.

Section 3.11 Committees . The Board of Directors, by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, may elect one or more committees, including, without limitation, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and an Audit Committee, and may delegate thereto some or all of its powers except those which by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws may not be delegated. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, any such committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors or in such rules, the committee shall be governed by the same rules regarding meetings, action without meetings, notice, waiver of notice, and quorum and voting requirements as are applicable to the Board of Directors. All members of such committees shall hold such offices at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may abolish any such committee at any time. Any committee to which the Board of Directors delegates any of its powers or duties shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and shall report its action to the Board of Directors.

Section 3.12 Compensation of Directors . Directors shall receive such compensation for their services as shall be determined by a majority of the Board of Directors, or a designated committee thereof, unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, provided that directors who are serving the Corporation as employees and who receive compensation for their services as such, shall not receive any salary or other compensation for their services as directors of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 4

OFFICERS

Section 4.1 Executive Officers; Election; Qualifications . As soon as practicable after the annual meeting of stockholders in each year the Board of Directors shall appoint a President and Secretary, and it may, if it so determines, elect a Chairman of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board from among its members. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer and one or more Assistant Treasurers and may give any of them such further designations or alternate titles as it considers desirable. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

Section 4.2 Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies . Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, each of the officers of the Corporation shall hold office until the first meeting of the Board of Directors after the annual meeting of stockholders next succeeding the officer’s election, and until the officer’s successor is elected and qualified or until the officer’s earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Board of Directors may remove any officer with or without cause at any time, by the affirmative vote of the majority of the directors then in office, subject

 

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to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting.

Section 4.3 Chairman of the Board . The Chairman of the Board, if one is appointed, shall preside, when present, at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

Section 4.4 Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer, if one is appointed, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate. If there is no Chairman of the Board or if he or she is absent, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside, when present, at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.5 President . The President shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

Section 4.6 Vice Presidents and Assistant Vice Presidents . Any Vice President (including any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President) and any Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate

Section 4.7 Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers . The Treasurer shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and except as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may otherwise provide, have general charge of the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall cause to be kept accurate books of account. The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds, securities, and valuable documents of the Corporation. He or she shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. Any Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.

Section 4.8 Secretary and Assistant Secretaries . The Secretary shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors (including committees of the Board) in books kept for that purpose. In his or her absence from any such meeting, a temporary secretary chosen at the meeting shall record the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall have charge of the stock ledger (which may, however, be kept by any transfer or other agent of the Corporation). The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation, and the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix it to any instrument requiring it, and, when so affixed, the seal may be attested by his or her signature or that of an Assistant Secretary. The Secretary shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary may perform his or her duties and responsibilities. Any Assistant Secretary shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.

Section 4.9 Other Powers and Duties . Subject to these Bylaws and to such limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, the officers of the Corporation shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, as well as such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

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ARTICLE 5

STOCK

Section 5.1 Form . Shares of the Corporation may, but need not, be represented by certificates. The Board of Directors may authorize the issue of some or all of the shares of the Corporation without certificates. Any such authorization will not affect shares already represented by certificates until they are surrendered to the Corporation. The rights and obligations of shareholders shall be identical whether or not their shares are represented by certificates. Certificates shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation. Any of or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. The Corporation shall not have the power to issue a certificate in bearer form.

Section 5.2 Special Designation on Certificates . If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however , that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

Section 5.3 Transfer of Stock . Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent for the Corporation of shares endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment signed by the holder of record or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney-in-fact, it shall be the duty of the Corporation, or its duly appointed transfer agent, to transfer such shares to the person entitled thereto and record the transaction upon its books.

Section 5.4 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates . The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

Section 5.5 Stock Transfer Agreements. The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the Corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

Section 5.6 Registered Owners . The Corporation (i) shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner, (ii) shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and assessments the person registered on its

 

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books as the owner of shares, and (iii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

ARTICLE 6

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND OTHERS

Section 6.1 Right to Indemnification . Subject to the other provisions of this Article 6, each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including involvement as a witness) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (hereinafter, an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL , as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA exercise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 6.2, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 6.1 shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advance of expenses”); provided, however, that, if and to the extent that the DGCL requires, an advance of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 6.1 or otherwise.

Section 6.2 Procedure for Indemnification . Any indemnification of a director or officer of the Corporation or advance of expenses under Section 6.1 shall be made promptly, and in any event within thirty (30) days (or, in the case of an advance of expenses, twenty (20) days), upon the written request of the director or officer. A request for indemnification may be made at any time following the final disposition of the proceeding. If a determination by the Corporation that the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article 6 is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty (60) days to a written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request. If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnification or advance of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within thirty (30) days (or, in the case of an advance of expenses, twenty (20) days), the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article 6 shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advance of expenses where the undertaking required pursuant to Section 6.1, if

 

10


any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 6.3 Employees and Agents . The Corporation may, by action of the Board of Directors, provide indemnification to persons who are not covered by Section 6.1 and who are or were employees or agents of the Corporation, or who are or were serving at the request of the Corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, with the same or lesser scope and effect as the indemnification provided for directors and officers. The procedure for indemnification of other employees and agents for whom the Board of Directors has provided indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.3 shall be the same procedure set forth in Section 6.2 for directors and officers, unless otherwise set forth in the action of the Board of Directors providing indemnification for such other employees and agents.

Section 6.4 Service for Subsidiaries . Any person serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary shall be conclusively presumed to be serving in such capacity at the request of the Corporation.

Section 6.5 Reliance . Persons who after the date of the adoption of this provision become or remain directors of the Corporation or who, while a director or officer of the Corporation, become or remain a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary, shall be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advance of expenses and other rights contained in this Article 6 in entering into or continuing such service. The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Article 6 shall apply to claims made against an indemnitee arising out of acts or omissions which occurred or occur both prior and subsequent to the adoption hereof.

Section 6.6 Non-Exclusivity of Rights . The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Article 6 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under this Certificate of Incorporation or under any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 6.7 Limitation on Indemnification . Subject to the requirements of Section 6.1 and the DGCL, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any person pursuant to this Article 6 in connection with any proceeding (or any part of any proceeding):

(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of such person under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;

(b) for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

 

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(c) for any reimbursement of the Corporation by such person of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by such person from the sale of securities of the Corporation, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Corporation pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Corporation of profits arising from the purchase and sale by such person of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements); or

(d) if prohibited by applicable law.

Section 6.8 Insurance . The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expenses, liability or loss under the DGCL.

Section 6.9 Contract Rights . The provisions of this Article 6 shall be deemed to be a contract right between the Corporation and each indemnitee who serves in any covered capacity at any time while this Article 6 and the relevant provisions of the DGCL or other applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or modification of this Article 6 or any such law shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts or proceeding then existing.

Section 6.10 Merger or Consolidation . For purposes of this Article 6, reference to the “Corporation” shall not include any constituent corporation absorbed in a consolidation or merger with the Corporation unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 6.11 Other Terms Defined . For purposes of this Article 6, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article 6.

ARTICLE 7

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.1 Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 7.2 Seal . The Corporation may, but need not, have a corporate seal which may be altered at pleasure, and may use the same by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

Section 7.3 Waivers . A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder or director, or waiver by electronic transmission by such person, whether given before or after the time of the event for

 

12


which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such person. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver.

Section 7.4 Interested Directors; Quorum . No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because the votes of such persons are counted for such purpose, if: (1) the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorized the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or (2) the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (3) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

Section 7.5 Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments . Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any document or instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

Section 7.6 Construction; Definitions . Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “ person ” includes both a corporation and a natural person.

Section 7.7 Amendment of Bylaws . The Bylaws may be amended or repealed in the manner set forth in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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Exhibit 10.19

CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

BY RUBICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

SUPPLY AGREEMENT*

This Agreement is made as of March 26, 2007 (“Effective Date”) between Peregrine Semiconductor Corp., with offices at 9450 Carroll Park Drive, San Diego, California 92121 (“Buyer”) and Rubicon Technologies, Inc, with and offices at 9931 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Park, Illinois 60131 (“Seller”).

1. Sale and Purchase . With respect to the products identified on Attachment A (“Products”), Seller will (i) sell to Buyer, and Buyer will buy, the quantities set forth in Section A of Attachment A, (ii) use its best efforts to sell to Buyer the additional quantities set forth in Section B of Attachment A and (iii) use reasonable efforts to sell to Buyer such other quantities of Products as Buyer may order at any time during the term of this Agreement.

2. Price, Payment and Delivery Terms . Buyer shall pay to Seller, for Products ordered and accepted by Buyer, the prices set forth on Attachment B. All prices shall remain firm during the initial term of this Agreement. Thereafter, Seller may only increase the price of Products to Buyer if Seller increases its standard list prices and any such price increase shall only be valid 30 days after notice of any such increase and only for Products ordered thereafter. All payments due hereunder to Seller shall be paid to Seller in US dollars not later than thirty (30) days following the date of the applicable invoice. Any amount not timely paid will accrue interest at the rate of 8% per year, compounded annually and Buyer shall reimburse all costs incurred by Seller, including Seller’s reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in collecting any amount due under this Agreement. Seller will undertake reasonable efforts to deliver Products within ten days of the applicable delivery dates set forth in Buyer’s purchase orders (which delivery dates shall be no earlier than 30 days after the date of such purchase order) and will assist Buyer in arranging any desired insurance (in amounts that Buyer shall determine) and transportation, via air freight unless otherwise specified in writing, to any destinations specified in writing from time to time by Buyer. Delivery shall be FOB the transporter. Buyer may reject any shipment, or portion thereof, which does not conform with the specifications for Product set forth in Attachment A (“Specifications”) by providing Seller with notice of such rejection within thirty days of delivery of such Product to Buyer. Subject to Seller’s warranty obligations with respect to any latent defects, Buyer will be deemed to have accepted delivery of any Products not timely rejected. Buyer shall be entitled to a prompt refund of the purchase price (together with reimbursement for insurance and freight charges) of such rejected Products, and Seller will provide Buyer with a replacement Products within 30 days of notice of rejection. All purchase orders are binding, non-cancellable commitments. Buyer and Seller will meet 45 days in advance of the beginning of each quarter to agree on quantities of Product to be delivered, and timing of delivery, during the next quarter.

3. Warranties . Seller warrants to Buyer that (i) it has the right and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, (ii) neither the Products nor their use infringe or will infringe any patent or violate any intellectual property or proprietary rights of any third party, including but not limited to copyright, trademark or trade secret rights anywhere in the world, (iii) the Products will be free from defects in materials and workmanship, (iv) the Products will conform in all material respects to the applicable Specifications, and (v) the Products will be delivered to Buyer free of all liens, claims and encumbrances. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN, SELLER MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

4. Indemnification . Seller shall defend, indemnify and hold Buyer and its officers, directors, agents and employees harmless from liability asserted by third parties (including all damages, losses, costs and attorneys fees) arising out of (i) infringement by the Products of any intellectual property rights of any third party, including patent rights, trademark rights, copyrights or other proprietary rights, or (ii) the negligence or willful misconduct of Seller.

5. Term, Termination, Survival, and Termination Liability . This Agreement shall begin on the Effective date and continue in effect for the Initial Term specified in Attachment A, and shall automatically renew for additional one-year terms provided both parties agree on monthly volumes and wafer pricing at least 60 days before renewal date, and unless and until either party provides written notice of non-renewal of this Agreement at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of any such term. If either party materially breaches this Agreement and such breach is not remedied within sixty (60) days after receipt by the breaching party of a notice thereof from the other party, the non-breaching party may immediately terminate this Agreement. Sections 3 through 7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Orders in effect prior to termination will not be affected by termination and will continue to be governed by the terms of this Agreement, provided that in the event of termination for Seller’s breach, Buyer may elect to cancel such orders in whole or part upon written notice and, in the event of termination for Buyer’s breach,, Seller may elect to cancel such orders in whole or in part upon written notice. Neither party shall incur any liability whatsoever for any damage, loss or expenses of any kind suffered or incurred by the other (or for any compensation to the other) arising from or incident to any termination of this Agreement by such party which complies with the terms of the Agreement, whether or not such party is aware of any such damage, loss or expenses.

6. Confidentiality and Intellectual Property . All information disclosed by one party to the other, including without limitation the terms of this Agreement, information about customers, finances, trade secrets, proprietary methods, strategies or any technical, financial, business or other information will be deemed to be the disclosing party’s proprietary and confidential information (“Confidential Information”). Confidential Information will be held in confidence by the receiving party and will not be disclosed by the receiving party of any third party, without the written consent of the disclosing party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the receiving party may disclose Confidential Information to employees with a need to know, bankers or other sources of financing, accountants, attorneys, consultants, advisers, and potential purchasers of the receiving party, but only upon a written undertaking by the third party to be bound by the terms of this Confidentiality and Intellectual Property provision. The receiving party shall not use the disclosing party’s Confidential Information for any purpose other than as contemplated by this Agreement. Confidential Information does not include information that (i) is generally and freely publicly available through no fault of the Receiving Party, (ii) the Receiving Party otherwise rightfully obtains from third parties without restriction, or (iii) is independently developed by employees of the Receiving Party with no knowledge of or access to such information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the receiving party may disclose the disclosing party’s Confidential Information if required to so by lawful order of a government agency or court with jurisdiction over the receiving party, but the receiving party shall, to the extent allowed by law, inform the disclosing party of the order so that the disclosing party may seek to limit or prevent the disclosure. Each party, as a receiving party, acknowledges that a breach of this section would result in irreparable harm to the disclosing party,


* [***]:  Certain information in this document has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.


CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

BY RUBICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

which harm could not be fully remedied by money damages. Without limiting any other relief available to the disclosing party, the disclosing party may seek equitable relief to enforce the terms of this section and the receiving party shall not seek to require a bond or other security in connection with the same. Buyer shall not use Seller’s name, logo, trademarks, or other intellectual property in promoting, using, or selling the Products (or products incorporating them) without Seller’s prior written consent. Seller shall retain all intellectual property rights in and to the Products.

7. General . All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be deemed given when personally delivered, when sent by confirmed fax, or three business days after being sent by prepaid certified or registered U.S. mail, or one business day after being sent by overnight courier to the address of the party to be noticed as set forth herein or such other address as such party last provided to the other by written notice. Neither party may assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the written consent of the other party; provided that, either party may, without such consent, assign its rights and obligations hereunder to a successor to all or substantially all of its business or assets. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties, their respective successors and permitted assigns. The failure of either party to enforce its rights under this Agreement at any time for any period shall not be construed as a waiver of such rights. This Agreement supersedes all proposals, oral or written, all negotiations, conversations, or discussions between or among parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and all past dealing or industry custom. No changes or modifications or waivers are to be made to this Agreement unless evidenced in writing and signed for and on behalf of both parties. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that this Agreement shall otherwise remain in full force and effect and enforceable. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with New York law without the application of any jurisdiction’s choice of law principles. The UN Convention on the International Sale of Goods does not apply to this Agreement. Any disputes arising in connection with or relating to this Agreement will be subject to binding arbitration pursuant to the commercial dispute resolution rules of the American Arbitration Association and all in person arbitration proceedings will be conducted in Houston, Texas.

8. Limitation of Liability . Except with respect to payment obligations, neither party shall be liable to the other for more than amounts actually paid by Buyer to Seller pursuant to this Agreement. Neither party shall be liable to the other for any indirect, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including without limitations lost profits, lost business, and claims of customers.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

PEREGRINE SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.
BY:   /s/ Jim Cable
NAME:   Jim Cable
TITLE:   CEO
RUBICON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
BY:   /s/ Raja M. Parvez
NAME:   Raja M. Parvez
TITLE:   President & CEO

 

2


CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

BY RUBICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Attachment A

Initial Term : 18 months — July 2007 through December 2008

Products : [***] sapphire wafers (as more fully described in the Product Specifications section below).

Product Specifications : [See attached product drawing]

Sale and Purchase Guarantees :

 

Section A.    Seller guarantees to supply, and Buyer agrees to purchase, Products from July 2007 through December 2008 in the following monthly volume per quarter:
   Q3 07 (July thru Sept)    [***] wafers per month
   Q4 07 (Oct thru Dec)    [ *** ] wafers per month
   Q1 08 (Jan thru March)    [ *** ] wafers per month
   Q2 08 (April thru June)    [ *** ] wafers per month
   Q3 08 (July thru Sept)    [ *** ] wafers per month
   Q4 08 (Oct thru Dec)    [ *** ] wafers per month
Section B.    Upon Buyer’s written request through a purchase order, Seller will offer additional volumes of Products to Buyer on a reasonable efforts basis from July 2007 through December 2008 at the following monthly volume per quarter:
   Q3 07 (July thru Sept)    [***] wafers per month
   Q4 07 (Oct thru Dec)    [ *** ] wafers per month
   Q1 08 (Jan thru March)    [***] wafers per month
   Q2 08 (April thru June)    [ *** ] wafers per month
   Q3 08 (July thru Sept)    [ *** ] wafers per month
   Q4 08 (Oct thru Dec)    [ *** ] wafers per month

 

A-1


CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

BY RUBICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

ES2-PSA Sapphire     [***]    Sapphire Substrate

[***]

 

                     Front Side
     Property    Target      Tolerance      Units       Laser Mark:   
1      Surface Orientation    [***]       Location: Back Side   
2      Diameter    [***]    [***]    mm         Format: SRRR-YXX-XXX   
3      Thickness    [***]    [***]    mm         Y - current year,   
4      Bow    [***]    µm         XX-XXX - unique wafer   
5      Warp    [***]    µm         sequence    [***]
6      TTV    [***]    µm             
7      TIR    [***]    µm         Rubicon Standard Character (IAW               
8      Taper    [***]    µm         Serial Spec - OCR)   
9      Primary Orientation Flat    [***]            Char Height: [***]   
10      Flat Length    [***]    [***]    mm         Char Width: [***]   
11      Black Surface Finish    [***]    [***]    µm           
12      Front Surface Finish    [***]              
13      Edge Bevel Angle    [***]    [***]    Degrees           
14      Edge Bevel Length Projected Width    [***]    [***]    mm           
15      Edge Chip    [***]              
16      Edge Chip Size    [***]    mm           

 

LOGO       Notes:
   
ES2-PSA Sapphire     [***]      Sapphire Substrate    HISTORY OF REVISION       1. Material Grade: [***]
        [***]         REV    DATE    DESCRIPTION         2. Bubble Spec: [***]
Rubicon Part #: [***]    A    06/15/06      Drawing Created         3. Grain Boundary / Lineage Spec: [***]

DATE ORIGINAL

   SCALE    B    01/26/07      TIR and Taper specs added      

4. Cleanliness: [***]

5. Edge Exclusion: [***]

1/26/2007

   Not to Scale                      6. Orientation identification: [***]

LATEST REVISION  

   CUSTOMER DWG/PART #                        7. Inspection: [***]

Rev B

   N/A    DWG BY    OPERATIONS      
   CUSTOMER APPROVAL    Alona Kraskovaska    Joe Cox      
   (If needed)    ENGINEERING    QUALITY      
      Sunil Phatak    Akhtar Zaman      

 

 

 

Private and Confidential   RELEASED FOR PRODUCTION   Private and Confidential

A-2


CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

BY RUBICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Attachment B

Product Prices

 

Time Period    Price per wafer
Q3 2007    [***]
Q4 2007    [***]
Q1 2008    [***]
Q2 2008    [***]
Q3 2008    [***]
Q4 2008    [***]

 

B-1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We have issued our report dated September 4, 2007 (except for Note 12, as to which the date is October 30, 2007), accompanying the financial statements of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (which report expressed an unqualified opinion and contains explanatory paragraphs relating to the restatement discussed in Note 12 and the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment , and Financial Accounting Standards Staff Position 150-5, Issuer’s Accounting under FASB Statement No. 150 for Freestanding Warrants and Other Similar Instruments on Shares that are Redeemable ) contained in Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-145880) and Prospectus. We consent to the use of the aforementioned report contained in Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts.”

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

Chicago, Illinois

October 31, 2007